Kathmandu University Hosts International Workshop to Elevate Nepali Research and Creative Writing

Kathmandu University successfully hosted a week-long workshop on Academic Writing and Scholarly Publishing from June 8 to 13, 2026, at its Hattiban Complex in Lalitpur. Supported by the Australian Government, the initiative aimed to enhance the international visibility of Nepali research and literature. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Kashiraj Pandey, Associate Professor of English at Kathmandu University and Vice-President of the Association of Nepalese Alumni from Australia (ANAA). The workshop was led by Curtin University professors Dr. Per Henningsgaard and Dr. Gemma Nisbet, alongside Dr. Pandey.

A major highlight of the week was a day-long Creative Writing Session held at Kathmandu University’s Department of Languages and Mass Communication which drew more than a hundred participants from various Kathmandu based institutions, including young writers and educators. The public event also attracted distinguished guests, including Australian Embassy officials and ANAA leadership. Addressing the gathering, Prof. Dr. Nirmala Mani Adhikary highlighted the deep and evolving academic and cultural ties between Nepal and Australia. Representing the Australian Embassy, Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Greg Klemm spoke alongside ANAA President Mr. Ananta Poudyal. They shared insights on the empathetic approach inherent to creative writers, praising Kathmandu University’s initiative in organizing programs that bridge diplomatic and artistic spheres.

Extending the workshop’s impact beyond the Kathmandu Valley, Dr. Henningsgaard and Dr. Pandey traveled to Chitwan for a specialized interaction program with local authors and delegates from the Village of English Writers (VIEW) Chitwan. The session chaired by its President Dr. Keshab Chalise served as a platform for regional literary exchange. During the program, prominent literary figures from Chitwan shared their short stories, poems, and translated texts, showcasing works that have found audiences both locally and internationally. The discussions yielded future collaborations, with participants exploring cross-cultural translation projects to bring major literary works by influential authors from both Nepal and Australia to wider audiences. Dr. Henningsgaard encouraged local writers to look inward, urging them to integrate the unique, everyday realities of Nepalese life into their writing to capture the attention of the global publishing market.