Kathmandu University is a leading and pioneering educational institution which has been contributing to enrich the standards of academic excellence in the nation. Kathmandu University, with the vision of “To become a world class university devoted to bringing knowledge and Technology to the service of Mankind” has led the path of educational reform. Under the umbrella of the university, the Department of Biotechnology has been functioning to impart technical education to students since 2003. In addition to gaining knowledge, the department helps students to gain qualities of leadership, management, corporate-skills, and others via various means.
Kathmandu University Biotechnology Creative’s (KUBiC) is a non-profit student-run club, mentored by the department itself. The club unites the graduates and the undergraduates studying in different years under the course as well as the alumni. This club functions to involve the undergraduates in various events like organizing seminars, workshops, exhibitions, networking campaigns, celebrating biotechnological landmarks like ‘DNA day’, and so on. All the events are targeted to enrich professional, managerial skills and resource mobilization skills in the students.
One of the major events that KUBiC organizes is the Biotech Meet aka BT MEET. On September 19, 2019, the one-day event was conducted in the premises of Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Kavre in association with the Ministry of Education, NAST and Dhulikhel Municipality.
In this ever-changing world, communication between education hubs related to the subject is eminent. The development in the field is only possible through the realization of current status, global trend of development and collaboration for feasible impactful changes. The program advocated on the matters. BT MEET 2019 was conceived with a belief to discover and analyze the ongoing development in the study of biotechnology in the context of Nepal. BT MEET 2019 aimed to provide a thrust for participants to get involved in the global race. The event incorporated all the institutions teaching undergraduate and graduate studies in biotechnology in Nepal.
The event encompassed:
- Talks from renowned Biotechnologists
- Quiz Contest
- Debate Competition on Euthanasia
- Cultural Performances
- Poster Presentation
- Bio-model Competition
- Photography Competition
- Stall Exhiibitions
The highly anticipated talk show featured four renowned biotechnologists in Nepalese biotechnology arena:
1. Anuroop Manandhar
Chairperson at Ficus Biotech Pvt. Ltd
2. Dr. Raunak Shrestha
Postdoctoral Scholar at Vancouver Prostate Centre
3. Chewan Rai
Kalapas Biotech
Social Entrepreneur
4. Binita Pokharel
CEO at PureJoy Pvt. Ltd Wine Company
The speakers shared their experiences in the field; which encompassed their ideas on the scope of biotechnology in Nepal, the scenario of job availability after graduation in the field of biotechnology, biotechnology still being underdeveloped in Nepal and the trend of students going to abroad countries for further graduation degrees and various other aspects. They also shared their experience and difficulties in establishing their company/enterprise in Nepal.
Dr. Sangita Shakya [Head of Department, Department of Biotechnology, Kathmandu University], Prof. Dr. Kanhaiya Jha [Dean, School of Science, Kathmandu University], Dr. Mahesh Kumar Adhikari [Secretary, NAST] and Prof. Dr. Janardan Lamichhane [Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Kathmandu University and NAST Academician] also delivered articulate speeches about biotechnology as a ferociously blooming subject in Nepal.
Participation of various professors and associate professors, students from colleges, high schools as well as schools from all over the country was seen. Students studying in different biotechnology institutes as well as in KU, participated and competed actively in poster presentation, bio-model competition, debate competition and quiz contest. The active participation from all the attendees contributed in forming a fun yet educational ambience which was indeed a sight to behold.
It would be no exaggeration to say that BT MEET 2019 was a tremendous success. Plans for BT MEET 2020 to follow suit were already there, but the pandemic had our hand tied. As soon as the crisis is settled, the tradition of Biotech Meet will undoubtedly continue, with a blast, in the coming years.