Kathmandu: The second National Conference organized by Mid-Valley International College has concluded with speakers emphasizing the need to translate academic research and technological advancements into practical applications to drive transformation across business, technology and hospitality.
Held under the theme “Digital Transformation and Innovation: Shaping the Future of Business, Technology and Hospitality,” the one-day conference brought together students, researchers, academics and industry stakeholders to discuss research, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), tourism, digital financial services, hospitality and their wider impact on society and the economy.
Speaking at the event, Mid-Valley International College Chairperson Rital Rana said research is creating new opportunities in knowledge, technology and innovation. However, she stressed that the rapid development of technology around the world makes it increasingly important to use new tools appropriately and based on actual needs.
Rana said researchers should not limit their work to conducting studies and preparing research papers, but should focus on ensuring that their findings are applied where they are most needed. “Research should not be limited to conducting studies and preparing research papers. The findings should be applied by identifying the sectors where they are needed.” She said research can contribute to addressing social challenges and supporting national development when academic findings are linked to practical applications.
Rana also highlighted the research initiatives being undertaken by Mid-Valley International College and said future research should focus on areas that can be effectively utilized across different sectors of the country. She encouraged students and researchers to explore emerging areas of study and emphasized the importance of institutionalizing research and innovation.
Similarly, Mid-Valley’s Head of Research Dr. Padam Dangol said conferences of this nature help create an important environment for the development of new technologies and research. He said research conducted today could contribute to the development of new knowledge, technologies and solutions in the future. According to Dangol, the conference was not merely a platform for researchers to present their findings but also an opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from one another and lay the groundwork for future research.
“The results of research conducted today will be useful in developing something new in the future.”
Dangol said research helps students generate new ideas while strengthening their confidence and capabilities. He added that such events encourage students to develop an interest in exploring new subjects and conducting further studies.
He stressed that research should be connected not only to students’ academic pursuits but also to the needs of society and the state. “Such programs develop students’ confidence and capabilities. Their impact is not limited to students but can extend to society and various sectors of the state.”
Dangol also announced that Mid-Valley International College is preparing to expand its annual conference from a national-level event into an international conference next year. The college plans to invite researchers, experts and academics from Nepal and abroad to broaden the scope of the event.
He further said research papers presented at the conference would be published as articles in the coming months, allowing researchers to present their work in a more systematic and wider format.
Meanwhile, Tribhuvan University Professor Dr. Satish Kumar Ojha said technology has gone through several stages of development and is now advancing at an unprecedented pace.
He noted that technological progress has significantly transformed the way people work, conduct businesses and deliver services. According to Ojha, adopting new technologies has become essential for sustainable development.
Technology, he said, should not simply be viewed as a symbol of modernity, but as a tool for improving productivity, enhancing services and making people’s lives easier.
Highlighting the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, Ojha urged students and researchers to learn how to use AI both responsibly and effectively. He said AI has applications across sectors including business, education and tourism, making it increasingly important for students to develop the skills needed to understand and use emerging technologies.
Ojha also encouraged students not to fear failure while pursuing new ideas and initiatives. “Everything does not have to be right from the beginning. We learn as we continue, and we can achieve better results through that process.”
Addressing concerns that rapid advances in AI could eliminate human jobs, Ojha said there was no need for unnecessary fear. He argued that AI is more likely to support people by making their work easier and more efficient than completely replacing them.
He pointed out that professions such as nursing, teaching, counselling and travel-related services require human emotions, experience and direct interaction, making complete replacement by AI difficult.
AI, he said, should therefore be viewed as a supportive technology rather than a competitor to humans.
The conference also featured a presentation by Acharya Shri Mahendra Vashistha on “Interrelationship Between Spiritual Journey and Scientific Research.”
Vashistha discussed the relationship between scientific research and spiritual development, highlighting rising levels of mental stress and imbalance in modern society. He said practices such as meditation and mindfulness can help individuals maintain mental peace and develop a more positive outlook.
He emphasized the importance of facing life’s problems and challenges calmly and said spiritual practices can play a meaningful role in maintaining inner peace.
According to Vashistha, while technology has made people’s external lives easier, personal discipline, meditation and positive thinking remain important for maintaining mental well-being. He stressed that balancing modern technology with spiritual awareness is essential for the overall development of individuals.
Researchers at the conference presented papers covering a broad range of subjects, including business, technology, tourism, environment, digital financial services, healthcare, transportation and hospitality.
Among the research topics presented were “Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Tourism Industry of Pokhara Valley,” “Geospatial Analysis of Urban Green Space Dynamics in the Kathmandu Ring Road Area: A Multitemporal Remote Sensing and GIS Approach (2015–2025),” “Random Forest Detection of Lake Surface Water Temperature Proxy Anomalies at Lima Lake, Nepal,” “Sustainable Tourism in Nepal: Opportunities, Challenges and Policy Recommendations,” and “Determinants of IPO Participation Among University Students in Kathmandu.”
Additional papers explored electric vehicle batteries, digital payment services, digital financial services, public transportation, digital wallets, digital literacy, insurtech, machine learning, health records management, digital health, information security and privacy, corporate governance and digital entrepreneurship.
According to the organizers, the conference provided a platform for students, professors, researchers and stakeholders from the technology and business sectors to exchange knowledge and experiences on emerging technologies, research and innovation.
The conference concluded with a broader call for stronger collaboration between academic research, technological innovation and practical applications to support Nepal’s future development.
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