Biraj Man Karmacharya, MBBS, PhD, MS, left, and Ram KM Shrestha, MD, review scientific posters at Research Day.
Dhulikhel Hospital in Dhulikhel, Nepal, recently hosted the first AMPATH Nepal Research Day, coming alive with ideas, energy, and a shared sense of purpose.
Supported by AMPATH Nepal and held in collaboration with Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences and the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, the day was a celebration of research, partnerships, and people. The theme, “Innovation Through Collaboration,” was not merely a slogan; it was the lived experience of everyone involved.
Archana Shrestha, PhD, MPH, Co-Director of AMPATH Nepal, first had the vision of establishing Dhulikhel Hospital’s own Research Day for clinicians, researchers, students, and partners to share knowledge and inspire one another.
More than 200 participants attended AMPATH Nepal’s first Research Day.
Watching that vision turn into reality was incredibly rewarding. The response exceeded our expectations, with 38 oral presentations, 62 poster presentations, and 263 participants gathered under one roof. The audience included researchers, clinicians, medical residents, students, and dignitaries from Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, the Arnhold Institute, and AMPATH Nepal, reflecting the strength of our national and international partnerships.
As the Project Coordinator, this journey was deeply meaningful to me. From organizing and coordinating the event to hosting sessions, keeping time, troubleshooting behind the scenes, and even performing on stage in a dance with fellow researchers, every role reminded me that successful events, like successful research, are built through collective effort. Months of hard work culminated in a day filled with learning, teamwork, joy, and growth.
Members of the Arnhold Institute’s AMPATH Nepal team celebrate the start of Research Day.
The journey began three months before Research Day, with planning that was both ambitious and meticulous.
To manage the scale of the event, we formed 20 committees, each entrusted with specific responsibilities that together ensured the seamless execution of the day. Every detail mattered, from participant registration and scientific session alignment to logistics, documentation, cultural performances, and live streaming. What stood out most was how harmoniously these teams worked, communicating across roles and stepping in for one another whenever needed. That collaboration was innovation in its truest form.
Celebrating collaboration and connection as core elements of impactful research
The opening ceremony set the tone beautifully. As we began with a lamp lighting and the Nepali national anthem, the atmosphere was filled with pride and anticipation. Along with my co-host, Sagar Adhikari, MDS, BDS, I had the honor of welcoming our esteemed guests and participants. Dr. Archana Shrestha’s opening remarks reminded us that progress happens when ideas, institutions, and individuals come together with a shared purpose. Speakers Ram KM Shrestha, MD, founder and Executive Director of Dhulikhel Hospital; Dr. Biraj Man Karmacharya, MBBS, PhD, MS, Administrative Director of Dhulikhel Hospital; and AMPATH Nepal Director Rose House, MD, further highlighted the importance of collaboration in strengthening research and health systems in Nepal.
The Department of Community Programs perform a cultural dance, emphasizing the importance of human connection in research
The keynote sessions truly embodied the theme of innovation through collaboration. Namita Ghimire, PhD, Chief of Ethical Review and Monitoring and Evaluation from the Nepal Health Research Council, offered invaluable insights into ethical governance, national and international research collaboration, and the evolving research landscape in Nepal. Her reflections emphasized that innovation must always be grounded in ethics and accountability.
Tim Mercer, MD, MPH, Director of AMPATH México/MAPAS, shared compelling experiences from his work, illustrating how partnerships across borders and communities can transform health systems. His discussion on community engagement, mental health integration, and addressing non-communicable diseases reinforced the idea that sustainable innovation grows out of collaboration with the people we aim to serve.
Beyond scientific rigor, the day also celebrated culture and connection. The welcome dance performed by the Dhulikhel Hospital Department of Community Programs was a joyful reminder that creativity and innovation flourish together when people unite. Moments like these added warmth and humanity to Research Day, reminding us that collaboration extends beyond academia into shared experiences and collective pride.
The takeaway: Meaningful research ecosystems are not built by individuals alone
As a project coordinator, the responsibilities were many and often demanding, but they were balanced by the incredible support of the entire team. Every challenge was met with cooperation, every success shared collectively.
This Research Day reinforced my belief that meaningful research ecosystems are not built by individuals alone, but by teams that trust one another and work toward a shared vision. I am deeply grateful for everyone who came together to achieve this milestone for AMPATH Nepal.
As we look ahead to our second Research Day in 2026, I hope this inaugural event continues to inspire stronger partnerships, ethical and impactful research, and a future where shared knowledge leads to shared progress.
Prapti Giri, BDS, MPH, is the Program Coordinator for AMPATH Nepal.