Virtual research workshop attracts thousands

Kathmandu, Sept. 4

A week-long virtual research workshop has witnessed unprecedented attendance of more than 1,000 participants.

While renowned professors, senior university faculties and researchers are conducting the classes that lastsfor about three hours a day, university students, faculties and professional researchers are attending the event.

The research package training that kicked off on Monday, August 31, had witnessed more than 1,500 participants in the Zoom and Facebook platforms while many thousands have viewed it in the YouTube afterwards.

With the increment of the participants the organiser, Dr. Dil Nath Dangal, increased the participant limit in Zoom from 300 to 500. The participants limit reached 10 minutes before the formal start of the programme.

The training has included all stages in research – topic selection, statement of the problem, objectives, methodology, findings and conclusion, and other pertinent topics like writing articles for international publication, research process overview and primary data management.

Professors Dr. Mahananda Chalise, Dr. Shiva Raj Adhikari, Dr. Mana Prasad Wagley, Dr. Basu Dev Kafle, Dr. Dhruba Kumar Gautam and Dr. Chaitanya Mishra are facilitating the training classes. 

"The demand is growing and there are chances of extension of the programme for a couple of days," said Dr. Dangal.

This innovative programme was conceived and organised by a single person, Dr. Dangal – a faculty of economics at the Tribhuvan University, with the vuluntary support from the professors and experts.

"Today's event is the 81^st day of such virtual discussion, interaction and traninig after the government imposed lockdown on March 24. We have started it with the interaction on the taxation system in the country," he said.

Dr. Dangal's Ph.D. dissertation was on taxation. The discussion on taxation was followed by sectoral interaction on health, education and budget. When many participants suggested to organise a programme to address the practical need of research, the research package training was developed.

Addressing the inauguration programme of the event, Chairman of the University Grant Commission Prof. Dr. Bhim Prasad Subedi appreciated the programme and said that such programme should be continued by the UGC and the universities in the days to come.

"I am surprised to see the overwhelming participation of students, faculties and professionals in the virtual programme. It shows that people are serious about the research work and publication," he said.

 According to him, the universities must increase the budget and activities in research sector in order to raise their academic standards as par the international measures.

Rector of the TU Prof. Dr. Shiva Lal Bhusal was all in praise of the programme and said that such events would help enhance the quality of the entire academia.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 5 September 2020.