When researchers collaborate across disciplines, it allows them to use new tools, consider new perspectives and see how their work fits into a bigger picture. The New Mexico State University Nepalese Student Association (NeSA) will host their 17th annual international conference embracing international and interdisciplinary study with their theme “Empowering Connections: Technology, Collaboration, and a Shared Future.”
The conference is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21 in Domenici Hall, Room 109. It will also be held virtually, allowing attendees to participate from around the world. Free online access to the conference is available here.
“The event focuses on the importance of connecting and collaborating among researchers from various disciplines to promote innovation and transformation in society,” said Santosh Adhikari, president of NeSA. “With the uncertainties in today’s world, building collaborative research networks has become increasingly important in addressing global challenges and promoting prosperity and well-being.”
NMSU Interim Provost Lakshmi Reddi and Ram Acharya, NeSA advisor and professor of agricultural economics and agricultural business, will give the opening remarks. The conference’s keynote speaker is KC Santosh, chair of the computer science department at the University of South Dakota and renowned expert in artificial intelligence (AI), who will be travelling to attend the conference in person.
“Dr. Santosh is one of the top scientists in the AI field and we’re glad to have him,” Adhikari said. “AI is growing, NMSU is bringing in some AI courses as well, so I think this will be very helpful. I'm excited to work with him and learn more know more about the current status of AI and how the field is growing.”
Under the theme of interdisciplinary collaboration, the conference will bring together students, researchers and scholars from around the world to share findings and build their network across a wide variety of disciplines.
NeSA invited four distinguished guest speakers to talk at this year’s conference: Sami Khanal, associate professor in the food, agricultural and biological engineering department at Ohio State University, Jeremy Spoon, research professor of anthropology at Portland State University, Sharad Mahatara, a postdoctoral researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Ananta Man Singh Pradhan, senior divisional engineering geologist in the Government of Nepal.
“One of the key goals of this conference has always been to create connections between students and well-recognized scientists at NMSU, across the United States, in our home country Nepal and globally,” said Kaustuv Neupane, former president of NeSA and past conference coordinator. “This year, I hope participants take away the importance of leveraging tools like AI to support and refine their research while also strengthening personal networking and collaboration, since meaningful human connections remain essential for successful scientific work.”
In-person attendees can enjoy free food, a raffle and door gifts that include NeSA t-shirts and NMSU swag items. At the end of the conference, the top three oral presentations and top three poster presentations will earn prizes.
For more information about the conference, contact Madan Pokhrel at mpokhrel@nmsu.edu.
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CUTLINE: New Mexico State University’s Nepalese Student Association will host their 17th annual international conference from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 21 in Domenici Hall, Room 109 and online. The conference’s theme is “Empowering Connections: Technology, Collaboration, and a Shared Future.” (Courtesy photo)
