23rd NDRI Annual Day Program
Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI), established in 2004 as a non-profit organization, has emerged as one of the country’s leading think tanks. The institute has been contributing to evidence-based policymaking through quality research and studies. On the occasion of each anniversary, NDRI has consistently organized international-level discourses, debates, and discussion programs by inviting renowned experts from various fields through its own initiatives and resources. The 23rd Annual Day Celebration of NDRI was successfully organized on 19 May 2026 at The Plaza. The event was conducted in three major sessions. The first session focused on the opening ceremony and inaugural speeches, the second session featured a special annual lecture, and the third session consisted of two panel discussions involving distinguished academicians, policymakers, researchers, and experts from Nepal and abroad.
1. Opening Session
The opening session was chaired by the President of NDRI, Jaya Kumar Gurung.
At the outset of the program, the Executive Director of NDRI, Dr. Shikha Thapa Magar, delivered the welcome address and extended greetings to all distinguished guests and participants. In her remarks, she highlighted NDRI’s continued contribution toward inclusive policymaking through evidence-based research. She also emphasized the importance of transforming Nepal’s youthful human capital toward sustainable and equitable development in line with the demands of the digital era.
The program was formally inaugurated by the Vice Chairman of the National Planning Commission, Hon’ble Dr. Gunakar Bhatta, through the traditional lighting of the Panas. In his keynote remarks, he emphasized that achieving inclusive and sustainable economic transformation in the age of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence (AI) requires strengthening human capital, productivity, innovation, research, and institutional capacity. He stated, “Today’s youth are tomorrow’s entrepreneurs, policymakers, politicians, and professionals. They are the agents of change in our society.” He further stressed the need for collaboration among the government, private sector, and civil society to promote investment in youth, improve education, and advance technology-driven transformation. He also expressed the commitment of the National Planning Commission to transform the outcomes of the discussions into policy recommendations.
During the opening session, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Prof. Dr. Bindu Nath Lohani, addressed the gathering as the special guest. He emphasized the urgent need for reforms in Nepal’s higher education system to make it timely, skill-oriented, research-based, autonomous, and future-oriented in order to address the challenges and opportunities created by Artificial Intelligence, digital transformation, and the changing global economy. He remarked that “Degrees without skills are weak in this century, but skills without values and morality are equally risky,” emphasizing the need for a balance between competence and ethics.
Similarly, former Finance Minister of Nepal, Mr. Surendra Prasad Pandey, highlighted the importance of strategically utilizing Nepal’s comparative advantages, including hydropower, tourism, and its geographic position between India and China, for achieving inclusive economic prosperity. He also cautioned that Artificial Intelligence could widen income inequality in Nepal if appropriate policy measures are not adopted. In his presidential remarks, Jaya Kumar Gurung expressed gratitude to the chief guest, special guests, representatives of diplomatic missions, scholars, experts, and participants from Nepal and abroad. He emphasized that improvements in the education system, knowledge sharing, and regional cooperation are essential for Nepal’s development in today’s digital era. He also noted that the NDRI lecture series has been providing valuable guidance for national development over the years.
2. Technical Session: Annual Lecture
The first technical session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Bindu Nath Lohani. The session began with a brief introduction of the keynote speaker by senior research expert of NDRI, Prof. Dr. Madhav Pokhrel.
As part of NDRI’s annual lecture series initiated in 2078 with a special lecture by former Chief Justice and former Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Khil Raj Regmi, this year’s sixth annual discourse was delivered by the President of South Asian University, Prof. Dr. K. K. Aggarwal.
Prof. Aggarwal delivered a lecture on the theme “Changing Landscape of Educational Philosophy and Learning in the Digital Age.” In his address, he stressed that the education system must move beyond traditional examination-oriented frameworks. According to him, digital technologies and generative AI have significantly expanded access to knowledge, analytical capabilities, and creativity, while universities remain constrained by outdated examination systems, credit structures, and paper-based certifications. He emphasized that education should promote self-awareness, ethics, values, empathy, and social responsibility. Furthermore, he argued that future education systems should prioritize practical skills, problem-solving abilities, and real-world achievements over degrees alone. He urged South Asian universities to reform obsolete structures and develop education systems that are relevant to the AI era, useful for life, and grounded in human values.
3. Technical Session: Panel Discussion I
The first panel discussion was organized on the theme “Strategic Programs to Improve Higher Education in Nepal.” The session was chaired by member of the National Planning Commission, Hon’ble Mrs. Reshu Aryal Dhungana, and facilitated by the Founding Vice Chancellor of Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology, Prof. Dr. Rajendra Dhoj Joshi. The panelists included: Prof. Dr. Arjun Karki, Vice Chancellor of University of Nepal, Prof. Bhushan Shrestha, Prof. Siddharth Kumar Jabade from Asian Institute of Technology.
The discussion focused on the urgent need for reforms in Nepal’s higher education system. Participants observed that the current affiliation-based and fragmented campus structure has not adequately strengthened educational quality, institutional autonomy, innovation, or alignment with labor market demands. The panel emphasized the importance of developing research-oriented, autonomous, and innovation-driven universities capable of generating knowledge, advancing technology, and producing competitive human resources. The panelists also highlighted the need to strengthen good governance, accountability, and evidence-based policymaking to improve the quality of higher education. Concluding the session, Mrs. Reshu Aryal Dhungana emphasized that research and innovation must be effectively linked with policymaking processes. She further stressed the importance of minimizing political influence in higher education institutions and exercising caution while granting affiliations to campuses.
4. Technical Session: Panel Discussion II
The second panel discussion was conducted on the theme “Human Capital for the AI Age: Bridging Education, Employment and Governance.” The session was chaired by former Finance Minister Surendra Prasad Pandey and facilitated by Dr. Shikha Thapa Magar. The panelists included: Dr. Brajesh Panth, Former Chief of Education Sector Group ADB, Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director from Centre for Policy Dialogue, Bangladesh, Dr. Sachiko Kataoka, Senior Economist from World Bank Nepal, Dr. Lubna Naz from Centre for Business and Economic Research, Pakistan and Helani Galpaya from LIRNEasia, Srilanka.
The discussion centered on preparing human capital for the rapidly evolving AI and digital age in Nepal and South Asia. Panelists highlighted challenges such as the mismatch between education systems and labor market needs, disparities between STEM and management education, limited digital and technical skills, and the migration of low-skilled youth abroad for employment. The participants stressed the importance of strengthening digital literacy, critical thinking, and skill-based education through enhanced regional cooperation. The discussion concluded that effective policy reforms and regional collaboration are essential to address the opportunities and challenges arising from AI, automation, and technological transformation. In his concluding remarks, Mr. Surendra Prasad Pandey described Artificial Intelligence as the “fourth phase of industrialization,” noting its potential to create employment opportunities, reform governance systems, and redefine global influence.
Conclusion
Overall, the discussions during the 23rd Annual Day Celebration of Nepal Development Research Institute focused on several important themes, including quality education, good governance, the alignment between higher education and labor market demands, and the relationship between Eastern philosophical approaches to education and Western industrial development-oriented education systems. The event also explored how think tanks can effectively contribute to evidence-based policymaking and national development. Additionally, extensive discussions were held regarding the effective integration of development partners into Nepal’s development process.
At the conclusion of the program, founding member of NDRI and senior research expert Dr. Nawaraj Khatiwada delivered the vote of thanks to all distinguished guests and participants. The event witnessed the participation of approximately 130 individuals, including former ministers, university leaders, professors, ambassadors, senior government officials, representatives of diplomatic missions, political party representatives, researchers, journalists, and experts from Nepal and abroad. Around 20 international participants also joined the program virtually and physically. On this significant occasion, Nepal Development Research Institute reaffirmed its commitment to contributing toward evidence-based policymaking and the sustainable development of Nepal’s education sector through quality studies and research. The institute also called upon all stakeholders to continue their cooperation and collaboration on these important issues.
