Science And Innovation

Moderator

Dr Kishor Dahal

Acting Dean, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science

Dr. Kishor Dahal, an experienced horticulturist, is an Associate Professor of Horticulture at Tribhuvan University and the Assistant Dean for IAAS. He has secured multiple competitive research grants, including two from the University Grant Commission of Nepal, and has served as a consultant for UNDP and ADB-funded projects. With numerous publications in national and international journals, his interests lie in innovative research, academic administration, policy review, and agricultural development.

Mr Roman Karki

Chief,National Food Technology Research Center,Nepal Agriculture Research Council

Dr. Roman Karki, a Nepali food scientist, focuses on improving meat quality through Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) and Sous vide (SV) processing. Dr. Karki is also a post-harvest engineer from KU Leuven, Belgium, and has extensive expertise in PEF and SV processing, value addition, product development, and statistical analysis.

Ms Menila Kharel

Thematic Lead-Sustainable Agriculture and Markets, Practical Action

Ms. Menila Kharel, with 17 years of experience in food systems, digital agriculture, climate adaptation, and sustainable agriculture, is the Thematic Lead for Sustainable Agriculture and Markets at Practical Action.

Dr Abid Hussain

Senior Economist & Food Systems Specialist Action Area Coordinator – Adapting and Transforming Livelihoods and Economies International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

Dr. Abid Hussain is currently coordinating ICIMOD’s Action Area on Adapting and Transforming Livelihoods and Economies. As a Senior Economist and Food Systems Specialist, he contributes to ICIMOD’s scientific work, field implementation, and policy engagement in the areas of resilient agriculture, sustainable food systems, climate change adaptation, and mountain economy.

Mr Matthijs van Rijn

Co-founder - Director Nepal, Green Intelligence

Matthijs van Rijn, founder of The Green Intelligence, is a nature enthusiast with experience in renewable energy projects. He co-founded The Green Intelligence in Nepal, helping over 800 farmers transition to agroforestry.

Ms Himani

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Avatar

Ms Himani is a robot designed and developed with the specific purpose of teaching in a classroom environment as well as tutoring students one-on-one, engaging with the students through human-like facial features and emotion-perceiving by the research and development team at Softwarica College of IT and E-commerce. Ms Himani has its own ‘brain’ or central computer powered by a chip containing a trained neural network. The robot also relies on AI technologies like deep learning, reinforcement learning, transfer learning, and computer vision alongside autopilot cameras and sensors to perceive and navigate its surroundings.