The Department of Computer Science and Engineering, School of Engineering, Kathmandu University, along with its student club Kathmandu University Computer Club (KUCC) successfully organized their first student-led national conference, National Conference on Computer Innovations (NCCI 2025) on August 24, 2025. The conference served as a national platform for students, researchers, and academics to explore the future of technology and innovation. The inaugural event aimed to foster a homegrown research culture in Nepal by bringing together diverse minds to share insights, research breakthroughs, and practical applications shaping the future of computing.

Formal Inauguration

Honored by the Chief Guest Professor Dr. Manish Pokharel, Dean, School of Engineering, Kathmandu University, the conference was graced by the presence of special guests Professor Dr. Bed Mani Dahal, Dean, School of Science, Assoc. Prof. Brijesh Adhikary, Acting Director, RDI, Kathmandu University, Asst. Prof. Sailesh Chitrakar, PhD., Co Editor-in-Chief, KUSET, Conference Advisor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sushil Shrestha, Asst. Prof. Santos Khanal, Department of Artificial Intelligence, Asst. Prof. Dr. Manoj Shakya, Department of Artificial Intelligence, members of technical program committee, faculties, authors, participants and students. Professor Dr. Bal Krishna Bal served the conference as the Conference Chair. Dr. Pankaj Raj Dawadi, Head of Department, DoCSE, led the conference as a Conference Convener, Professor Dr. Gajendra Sharma served the conference as the Publication Chair.

Keynote Speakers

The conference featured keynote addresses from distinguished experts:

1. Professor Dr. Sudan Jha, Associate Director, ITC, Kathmandu University presented on "Strategic AI: Building Nepal's Secure, Sovereign, and Sustainable Digital Economy," outlining a framework to leverage Nepal's unique advantages for a secure AI infrastructure.
2. Professor Dr. Bikash Nakarmi, College of Electronic and Information Engineering, NUAA, China presented on "Beyond Interference – AI2XPR: AI-Enabled Interference-Resilience Next Generation Photonics Radar," exploring the integration of AI and Microwave Photonics to redefine radar sensing technology.

Parallel Sessions

The program included parallel sessions on a wide array of topics, including AI-driven solutions, cybersecurity, digital mental health, machine learning, and UX assessments of public services in Nepal. A total of four parallel sessions was hosted by distinguished Session chairs where the 22 research papers were presented. Sessions were chaired by Asst. Prof. Dr. Aman Shakya, Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, Asst. Prof. Dr. Bhoj Raj Ghimire, Head of ICT, Nepal Open University, Prof. Dr. Gajendra Sharma, DoCSE, Kathmandu University, Prof. Dr. Sudan Jha, DoCSE, Kathmandu University

Research Articles

The conference was packed with compelling research. After a rigorous blind peer review of reviewers from different Universities and institutes, a total of 22 papers and one poster were accepted for presentation. Selected papers from the conference will be published in a special edition of the Kathmandu University Science & Technology (KUSET) journal.

Message from Conference Chair

"Through NCCI, we envisioned promoting interdisciplinary dialogue, nurture young talent, and provide a forum where ideas can be exchanged freely and collaboratively," said Dr. Bal Krishna Bal, the Conference Chair. Professor Bal further added "We are excited to bring together the brightest minds to push the boundaries of computer innovation."

Message from Conference Convener

"The idea of NCCI was born from our belief that Nepal needs a homegrown platform that nurtures innovation, research culture, and collaboration in computer science," stated Dr. Pankaj Raj Dawadi, Conference Convener, NCCI 2025. Dr. Dawadi further added “We organizing committee DocSE and KUCC are overwhelmed with great enthusiasm and response from the research community of Nepal in this first ever student-led national conference. This conference brought early researchers, research practitioners, students, guests together inclining towards academia and research synergy. We are committed to continue this process of adding value in the Nepalese research community. We would also like to announce that the Department of Computer Science and Engineering will host the second iteration of NCCI next year in 2026”

The National Conference on Computer Innovations (NCCI) is an initiative of Kathmandu University Computer Club (KUCC), patroned by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Kathmandu University.