Guest Post: An AuthorAID Workshop in Biratnagar, Nepal

[This post is from Kul Prasad Limbu, who recently received an AuthorAID grant to hold a workshop. Thank you! —Barbara]

With support from INASP, an AuthorAID Workshop on Research Communication was successfully held by the Department of Zoology, Post Graduate Campus, Tribhuvan University, Biratnagar, Nepal, on 13–16 July 2012. The 21 attendees included 13 master’s students in zoology, 6 master’s students in botany, and 2 bachelor’s students in agricultural engineering. I was lead coordinator and facilitator, and Dr. Shiva Kumar Rai, Shaligram Adhikaree, and Basanta Kumar Rai were co-facilitators.

The workshop focused on (i) proposal writing, (ii) writing and publishing scientific papers, (iii) use of statistics in research, and (iv) citation and references using EndNote software.

The attendees actively participated throughout the workshop. They were very excited and eager to know everything about the subject. The participants were the first in their departments to learn about and use EndNote. They promised to use EndNote when writing their dissertations and scientific papers.

The participants understood the importance of publishing scientific papers: Unless they published their research in journals, it would be meaningless. Most of the participants were completing the proposals for their dissertations. They had a chance to rewrite their proposals after the facilitators identified mistakes.

Although the students had studied statistics in their regular classes, they lacked a basic idea of what statistical tools to use for different kinds of data. After the workshop, they knew a lot about the application of different statistical tools.

Two guest speakers shared their views on research communication. Prof. Ram Bahadur Thapa (PhD), Department of Zoology, Post Graduate Campus, Biratnagar, shared his knowledge and ideas on writing journal articles. Associate Professor Devendra Adhikari, (PhD), Department of Physics, Mahendra Morang Adarsha Multiple Campus, Biratnagar, inspired participants to publish their research in scientific journals.

Associate Professor Bharat Raj Subba (PhD), Department of Zoology, was with the participants throughout the workshop to discuss the subject.

I am thankful to INASP for providing an AuthorAID workshop grant for this event.  I acknowledge all the teaching and non-teaching staff of the Department of Zoology, Post Graduate Campus, Biratnagar, Nepal. This workshop could not have been organized without their continuing support and encouragement. The participants, who spent considerable energy and time to listen, discuss, and share views, are to be commended as well. The facilitators deserve special thanks for their presentations and lively discussion with participants. I also express sincere gratitude to the guest speakers for sharing their ideas and views. My earnest acknowledgment goes to Dr. Bharat Raj Subba for his unfailing support, patience, assistance, suggestions, and generous guidance throughout the event. I am indeed indebted to him and shall remain thankful forever.