International Conference

As part of the establishment of the Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology (MBUST), three international conferences were organized on the theme of World-Class Universities in Nepal.

The first conference, titled “Workshop on World-Class Universities,” was held from November 16 to18, 2016. The second conference, “Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology – In Pursuit of World-Class,” took place on August 7, 2023 and served as the University Launch Conference. MBUST officially commenced its academic programs on December 1, 2023.

The first conference, attended by prominent international scholars, higher education leaders, and a wide range of national stakeholders, affirmed the feasibility of establishing a world-class university in Nepal.

The second conference, attended by the University’s trustees and diverse stakeholders from Nepal, and addressed online by distinguished international well-wishers, presented the University’s operational framework, identified opportunities and challenges, and outlined the expected outcomes. The conference also offered strategic guidance to help the University address future challenges.

The third conference was held on May 4, 2025, in Kathmandu. The objective of the conference was to share with stakeholders the achievements made by the University, its expected outcomes, and the challenges it is currently facing; to seek advice on overcoming these challenges; and to rally stakeholder support in advancing the vision and mission of the University.

The conference was organized in a hybrid mode and attracted a large number of participants. Highly accomplished and distinguished speakers of national and international repute from academia, industry, the business community, and policymaking circles addressed the conference. The program comprised five sessions: the Inaugural Session; Contributing to Economic Growth; “Building a World-Class University: The Power of Stakeholder Engagement” (Panel Discussion); and Rallying Stakeholder Support.

The conference was addressed by internationally acclaimed speakers, including Mr. Bruce Flessner, Former Vice President, American University in Cairo and Chair of MBUST Fundraising Committee and Chairperson of Everest Fund of S&T, USA; Prof. Richard Miller, Founding President, Olin College of Engineering, Boston; Dr. Kenichi Ohashi, Former Country Director, World Bank Nepal Country Office; Member of MBUST Trustee Selection Committee and Director of Everest Fund of S&T; Prof. Seeram Ramakrishna, Former Vice President of National University of Singapore, and MBUST Trustee; Prof. Nam Pyo Suh, Former President, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, and MBUST Trustee.

Similarly, the conference had scholars as speakers from various countries: Dr. Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, Chairperson, Board of Trustees, University of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, and Founding President of Aga Khan University, Pakistan; Prof. Netra Chhetri, Chair at Innovation in Global Development PhD Program, School for the Future of Innovation in Society and Director of Center for Innovation and Development in Society, Arizona State University, USA; and Prof. Suzanne Fortier, Former Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University, and MBUST Trustee.