Published Date: 2022-11-11, Friday
Kathmandu University School of Education hosted a three-day international conference (4-6 November 2022) on Transformative Educational Research and Sustainable Development virtually. The main theme of the conference was Sustaining and Thriving Transformative Educational Research and Practice in Challenging Times and Contexts. This conference was the third in a series. Before the conference, the early career researchers participated in face-to-face sessions conducted on 3 November 2022. The reason behind conducting early career researchers’ day was to scholarly engage the early career researchers in the mainstream of transformative educational research and sustainable development. On November 4, the Vice-chancellor of Kathmandu University, Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa delivered an inaugural address. He stated the need to expand the network of transformative research practitioners to develop transformative thinking by being aware of the socio-political contexts. Likewise, the Dean and Co-convener of the conference, Prof. Dr. Bal Chandra Luitel addressed the opening ceremony stressing the need for multi-disciplinarity in educational research. The Acting Head of the Department of STEAM education, Asst. Prof. Binod Prasad Pant made an overview of the conference. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hem Raj Kafle performed a musical welcome. The participants from 10 countries attended the conference. They were from Nepal, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Mozambique, India, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Indonesia and Australia. Along with 8 keynotes, 56 papers for oral presentations, 2 book talks, 2 arts-based performances, 2 panel discussions and 7 workshops were the key highlights of the conference. On the second day of the conferences, Dr. Prem Phyak, Dr. Emilia Nhalevilo, Dr. Suresh Gautam, and Dr Swaroop Rawal delivered their keynote addresses. On the third day of the conference, Dr Yuli Rahmawati and Prof. Peter Charles Taylor delivered their keynote address, followed by thought-provoking parallel sessions. During the closing ceremony, the Chief Guest, Prof. Dr. Bhim Prasad Subedi, chairperson of UGC, Nepal, stated the trend of students leaving Nepal for their higher study as a serious issue in education. Nimesh Shrestha, Bibek Bhandari, Ganesh Khatiwada, Netra Kumar Manadhar, Indra Mani Shrestha, Niroj Dahal, Suresh Gautam, Binod Prasad Pant presented their reflective note on behalf of the organizing committee. While delivering the vote of thanks, Prof. Dr. Bishal Sitaula, highlighted the need for transformative education in general and collaboration with KU in particular. On a thanking note, the Co-convener of the conference, Prof. Peter C. Taylor presented the ongoing development and network expansion of the International Transformative Educational Research Network (ITERN). In the closing remarks, Assoc. Dean, external affairs, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Praksah Chandra Bhattarai thanked all the stakeholders for making such an eventful conference happen. Dr Yuli Rahmawati, an Indonesian representative, declared TERSD-2024 to take place in Indonesia. Finally, the Dean of the School of Education, Prof. Dr. Bal Chandra Luitel closed the third international conference. Ms. Rejina KC and Mr. Chet Nath Panta emceed the conference.