Young Nepali Scholars Deliberate on Inclusivity, Equality, and Diverse Representation in Academic Settings

December 10, 2023

By Dr. Meena Bohara

The 3rd Annual Conference and General Meetings organized by the National Young Academy, Nepal (NaYAN) on December 8-9, 2023, centered on the theme 'Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within Nepali Academia.' The objective was to stimulate dialogue and raise awareness regarding the status and hurdles related to inclusivity in Nepal's academic sphere. The event was held at Kathmandu Model College, and it comprised a series of talks followed by a panel discussion and was co-organized by Kathmandu University’s Energize Nepal program.

Dr. Basant Giri, the co-chair of NaYAN, welcomed participants and provided an overview of the program, shedding light on NaYAN's initiatives like NICHOD, a research-sharing video competition for undergraduate and graduate students, along with collaborative efforts with entities such as the Global Young Academy and Pokhara University. The pivotal role of NaYAN in advocating STEM education among schoolchildren and its contributions to climate change policymaking and the International Year of Basic Sciences 2022 were highlighted.

The conference featured four presentations delving into the current landscape of 'Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion' within Nepali Academia. Kritisha Pahiju from EnergizeNepal emphasized the organization's efforts in augmenting human resource capacity in research, specifically within the hydropower and renewable energy sector. While sharing success stories, she raised concerns about gender disparities within the organization, citing lower female representation among staff and supported students.

Dr. Babita Paudel, Research Director at the Center for Natural and Applied Sciences, discussed the status of women in STEM fields in Nepal, underscoring the challenges they face. She highlighted the importance of equity and diversity in STEM, discussed gender enrollment disparities across disciplines, and revealed low percentages of women in research and engineering faculties. She noted that higher female enrollment in life/health sciences but identifies persistent gender gaps in classrooms, academia, and research institutes. Citing UNESCO and World Bank data, she revealed low percentages of women working as researchers (7.8%) and faculties in engineering (4%) in Nepal. Dr. Paudel discussed existing government policies for inclusion, such as the Labour Act, 2017, but pointed out loopholes and emphasized how discriminatory practices hinder creativity and inclusivity. Dr. Paudel advocated for measures like mentorship and skills development to bridge the gender gap, emphasizing the need for gender equality in policymaking and workplace representation.

In a joint presentation, Dr. Sushan Acharya and Dr. Kamal Raj Devkota addressed access and equity issues in STEM education in Nepal. They discussed the rise in female enrollment but noted a drop at the graduate level due to structural and societal factors. They highlighted the concentration of technical programs in urban areas and advocated for policies aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 2030, emphasizing the need for institutional efficiency and improved learning environments.

The conference concluded with a panel discussion. The panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Sasmita Paudel, featured four distinguished speakers interweaving their research with personal experiences to address gender disparities in STEM in Nepal. Dr. Sushan Acharya presented statistics on enrollment and migration trends, advocating for resource optimization. Dr. Sangeeta Singh traced workplace challenges back to societal stereotypes rooted in childhood experiences. Dr. Babita Paudel emphasized the need for mindset changes and career development opportunities for women, while Dr. Kamal Raj Devkota urged updated policies and societal introspection to drive change.

The event provided a robust platform for discussions on diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering optimism for positive changes in Nepal's academic landscape.