On 22 January, 2026, Kathmandu University (KU), through its Directorate of Research, Development and Innovation (RDI), successfully organized a PhD Scholars Interaction Program at the CV-Raman Auditorium. The event brought together the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, faculty members, supervisors, and doctoral scholars to deliberate on the current status, expectations, and challenges of the PhD journey at KU.

The formal proceedings commenced at 10:05 AM with the national anthem, moderated by Prof. Dr. Rajendra Joshi.

• Assoc. Prof. Brijesh Adhikary, Acting Director of RDI, extended welcome remarks, presented updates on the progress of KU’s PhD programs, and highlighted the recent activities of RDI.
• Prof. Dr. Bal Krishna Bal shared insights into the achievements and ongoing developments within the School Of Engineering’s doctoral programs.
• Assist. Prof. Dr. Sailesh Chitrakar highlighted significant milestones of KUSET, mainly the publication of 3 issues of KUSET with a special edition based on the NCDC conference. He also acknowledged the contributions of reviewers and emphasized its role in strengthening research quality.
• Prof. Dr. Achyut Prasad Wagle, Vice-Chancellor of Kathmandu University, began his remarks by inviting all participants to introduce themselves, fostering an inclusive atmosphere. He then outlined KU’s long-term commitment to strengthening its doctoral programs. Prof. Dr. Wagle reaffirmed KU’s dedication to providing support for PhD scholars, the importance of resources, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities in shaping the research culture.

A central feature of the program was the interactive session where PhD scholars and supervisors engaged directly with the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar. Discussions focused on PhD grants, laboratory resources, and allocation of facilities, with student feedback formally recorded to guide future improvements in the doctoral experience.

The program concluded with closing remarks and a vote of thanks by Registrar Prof. Dr. Rajeev Shrestha, who reinforced KU’s commitment to its research culture and expressed appreciation to all participants for their active involvement. The formal program officially ended with the KU anthem.

Following the formal session, the event transitioned into a networking lunch at 12:40 PM, providing an informal platform for continued dialogue and collaboration among the attendees.