Seminar on Importance of Collaboration and Outreach in Research Project Development
Dr. Shankar Shrestha, a Senior Research Specialist and former Executive Director of the Nepal Development and Research Institute (NDRI), delivered a seminar on “Importance of Collaboration and Outreach in Research Project Development” on 17 March 2025. The seminar was organized by the Water Engineering and Management (WEM) program at AIT and was hosted as a part of the course CE74.15 Research Design and Experimental Methods. Ms. Shreya Bajimaya, Senior Research Associate at NDRI, joined virtually to share additional insights.
Dr. Shrestha provided an overview of NDRI’s research focus, key collaborations, and ongoing projects. He emphasized the essential stages of research—from defining issues and research questions to execution and dissemination. He also highlighted the importance of teamwork, interdisciplinary collaboration, and networking in securing funding andmaximizing real-world impact. Ms. Bajimaya presented case studies from NDRI’s Water andClimate Program (WCP), showcasing how international partnerships have contributed toadvancements in water management and disaster mitigation.
The seminar was attended by more than 30 master’s and Ph.D. students in WEM, including Researchers. It offered valuable insights into project planning, implementation, anddissemination which are also helpful for the students’ research thesis.