International Academic Conference Begins in Itahari
An international-level academic conference has started in Itahari from Saturday, December 20, 2025, focusing on innovation, research, and sustainability in higher education. The conference will run for two days.
Speakers at the opening session emphasized that new studies and research are now necessary to improve education.
Keynote speakers and sessions
The conference has been launched with the aim of developing Janata Multiple Campus Itahari as an educational hub of the eastern region. On the first day, keynote presentations were delivered by:
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Professor Dr. Mahananda Chalise, Dean, Faculty of Management, Tribhuvan University
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Dr. Mirgendra Karki, Executive Director, TU CENAS
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Roger F. Cohen, Regional English Language Office, U.S. Embassy, Kathmandu, Nepal
The program includes four keynote speeches. On the following day, Professor Dr. Prem Phyak of Columbia University, United States of America, will deliver a keynote presentation.
Plenary speakers and research papers
Indra Prasad Pyakurel, Assistant Campus Chief and Conference Coordinator, said that subject experts will present 112 research-based papers.
Plenary presentations will be delivered by:
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David D. Perrodin, Mahidol University, Thailand
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Professor Dr. Rameshchandra Rathi, Secretary, Indian School, Odisha, India
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Dr. Phoenix Kenny Shrestha, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Along with well-known education experts from Nepal
Messages from the opening session
In the opening session, former Defence Minister Dr. Minendra Rijal said that new studies and research are needed for time-relevant education. He emphasized that the country should move forward in the direction of transformation by progressing on the basis of the path shown by study and research.
In the same session, Rajan Mehta, Chief of the District Coordination Committee, Sunsari, said that when public frustration toward political parties and leaders has risen, research should focus on improving education to bring real change through transforming parties and leaders. He said that people have increasingly been criticizing leaders everywhere, and added that such academic conferences should update subject matter according to the times and bring positive change.
Itahari Mayor Hemkarna Poudel said that the conference has contributed to Itahari’s educational development. He also stated that education should now be studied and researched in a way that encourages every citizen toward a positive path.
About the campus and conference expectations
Among Nepal’s community colleges, Janta Bahumukhi College is considered one of the colleges with a large number of students. It is also located at the center of Koshi Province, is accessible to all, and has become a preferred destination for students.
Bikash KC, Chairperson of the Campus Management Committee, said that the conference has contributed to Itahari’s educational development and has succeeded in playing a role of guardianship for other private colleges. It is expected that the conference will contribute to interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration among scholars, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders across diverse fields such as humanities, education, management, and language teaching, while promoting a holistic approach to contemporary challenges.
The conference features presentations by speakers from four foreign countries, along with well-known academic experts from Nepal. The program has a notably higher number of participants from Koshi Province.
Conference Itahari