CFFN Event Schedule
A Look into Research from the Lens of Development
Admission: Free
Room 443, 4th Floor, Earth Sciences Building
Univarsity of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 1N4 Canada
Program Schedule | Speaker Bio | About UCalgary Venue (Wiki | Website | NepalProgram | Campus Map | Google Map | Direction )
| 2:00-2:10 | Participant Introduction and Registration |
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| 2:10-2:20 | Chair and Moderator: Dr. Binod KC Welcome and Thematic Orientation |
| 2:20-2:35 | Mr. Bill Porochnuk, Former Director of Operations, SIAST |
| 2:35-2:50 | Dr. Upendra Mahato, President, NRNA-ICC |
| 2:50-3:05 | Prof. Dave Irvine-Halliday, Founding Chair, LUTW Foundation |
| 3:05-3:20 | Mr. Naresh Koirala, Senior Geotechnical Engineer, Golder Associates |
| 3:20-3:35 | Dr. Drona Rasali, Research Chair, CFFN |
| 3:35-3:50 | Dr. Raju Tuladhar, Lead Engineer, Thyssen Kropp |
| 3:50-4:05 | Dr. Pramod Dhakal, Executive Director, CFFN |
| 4:05-4:55 | Floor opens up for discussion and question answer |
| 4:55-5:00 | Closing Remarks: Dr. Binod KC, President, CNCA |
| About the Topic of Discourse | |
| Despite being eager to develop its infrastructure in all walks of life such as basic education, health and livelihood, Nepal, like many other developing countries, is unable neither to accumulate required level of need-based-knowledge nor to properly utilize the knowledge that is already acquired. Although urban centers in Nepal seem comparatively prospering in education and human resources, vast majority of rural people live in a poor state of literacy, income, health and livelihood. As the development of science and technology is even below the infancy level, rural people severely lack the knowledge and skills that are required to improve their daily lives. It has been witnessed that the development of a society is directly proportional to the production of evidence based knowledge and its proper utilization. However, in the context of Nepal, there is a stark contrast between what people really need and what is provided for them. The goal of this panel discussion is to look into the approaches in the promotion of research that can address such needs and to explore research areas that could enhance the development to meet the short term and long term needs of the people in the margins of the society. Therefore, we anticipate an exploration of challenges, opportunities and effective-approaches in addressing these issues through this panel discussion. | |
| About CFFN | |
| CFFN initiated its activities in 2005 and has been working as a not-for-profit organization. In its early days, CFFN contributed towards conflict mitigation in Nepal. In the later days, the objectives of CFFN were changed towards scientific research and development activities. CFFN regularly organizes interaction programs, research activities, academic conferences, and projects that are directly related to the fundamental issues of people in the margins of the society, including issues of remote areas. Our conviction is that knowledge and education are the most profound requirements for building a just and prosperous society. We promote critical thinking and scholarly exchanges between Nepal and interested individuals and institutions abroad, and incubate research and development with an objective of improving rural education and livelihood. CFFN aspires to bridge those who have world-class knowledge and experience and/or those who are concerned about global issues and want to contribute with the disadvantaged children, women and men of Nepal who lack basic education, knowledge, and capacity to achieve decent-livelihood, innovation and progress. | |
| CFFN Experiences | |
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We have accumulated remarkable experiences working with the rural people. Among many stories that we have come across, we would like to share the most recent one with you.
Michael and Tineke Casey of Ottawa went to a village of Madi, Baglung in February 2009 to conduct a survey on early childhood education and livelihood. When they interacted with the villagers, they found that villagers were highly receptive and cooperative. As they saw this, they were curious to know why there was so much natural trust. Later on, they noticed that CFFN had established a trust with them and Michael and Tineke were representing CFFN. Knowing hardly any Nepali, they were surprised to repeatedly hear CFFN from the villagers who did not know English at all. As Michael and Tineke expressed their ideas on how villegers could self-help running an early childhood education centre, to promote education and livelihood, villagers immediately took decision to start the program. Looking at this proactive approach of the villagers, Michael and Tineke decided to launch an early childhood education centre immediately rather than at the end of 2009, as was originally planned. They were really inspired and established the program in a temporary shelter even without waiting for the construction of the building. Many people who were even struggling for survival showed their willingness to donate their little plot of land for the building if their children could be educated by the program. Village administrators who had to perform administrative procedure to initiate the program formally cooperated without any hesitation. Neither the villagers nor the local and district administrators questioned their motives and objectives of their visit as they know that they are from CFFN. Villagers also shared that CFFN had sent volunteers from Canada, USA, and even from Nepal in the past to promote education in their village. Tom Lea of Illinois, USA who was currently teaching voluntarily in the nearby high school was popular among the villagers to whom Michael and Tineke met. Michael and Tineke learnt that the computer lab of the school was built with an effort of Donna Lea and Grade 3 students of Illinois. Interestingly, Alexandre and Jenevive from University of Ottawa also arrived in the village to conduct their research on women’s livelihood, also gone through CFFN. These all people from different countries thought that they achieved satisfaction in helping rural people and work with CFFN. |
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| Contact Information: | |
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Canada Foundation for Nepal (CFFN) 33 Bellman Dr, Ottawa, ON K2H 8S3 Canada www.cffn.ca; info@cffn.ca Dr. Govinda Dahal: 613-829-2820 Dr. Pramod Dhakal: 613-596-6692 |
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