2nd International Kathmandu Astrophysics School at Prithvi Narayan Campus
TU-PNC, 11 June 2018 – The Kathmandu Astrophysics School begins its program on computational astrophysics (KAS18) in Prithvi Narayan Campus, Pokhara. The program will run for a week from 10 to 17 June 2018.
“We are very excited to be in Pokhara for KAS18” says Dr. Michele Trenti, an Associate Professor in the School of Physics at the University of Melbourne, Australia and chair of the school organizing committee. “And we are looking forward to spending one week of intensive teaching and learning activities led by a fantastic team of lecturers in the beautiful leafy setting of the Prithvi Narayan Campus.” continues Dr. Trenti.
In addition to Dr. Trenti four lecturers traveled to Pokhara for the school: Prof. Mustafa Amin from Rice University (TX, USA); Ms. Clare Kenyon, a PhD candidate and Laby Teaching Fellow at the University of Melbourne; Dr. Jack Line, also from the University of Melbourne, and Ms. Manisha Shrestha, a PhD candidate at the University of Denver (CO, USA) originally from Nepal.
Students have been selected from more than 260 applications from Nepal and nearby countries, demonstrating the high interest in educational initiatives where classes are taught by international experts.
This week, the 12 female and 13 male students will be introduced to basic concepts and computational techniques in astrophysics and cosmology, and lectures will be combined with hands-on projects, professional development and networking.
“It very helpful and interesting” says Nikita Parajuli, “to meet different people from different countries and work together” continues Manisha Sharma. “I like the opportunity to get exposure to international research trends in astrophysics” finishes Roshan Kumar Mishra.
“Every aspect of the campus organization has been fantastic” says Dr Trenti, “and I am very grateful for the excellent support provided by the local organizing committee”, which is led by Associate Professor Kul Prasad Dahal and by Sabin Gautam, an M.Sc. student on campus and program coordinator for the Pokhara Astronomical Society.
“As a former participant of the first edition of KAS (Kathmandu 2016), I am very happy to help with the school organization here in Pokhara. In fact, my experience at KAS16 has been extremely helpful to equip me with the tools to carry out research projects in my academic studies” says Sabin Gautam, continuing with “Therefore, KAS18 will be an ideal opportunity to continue providing students from all over Nepal with exposure to international researchers.
”Student travel to Pokhara, lodging and meals are generously supported by the International Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Development, by the Laby Family Foundation, and by Rice University.
The organizing committee is hoping to leverage on the success of this year’s edition, and on the valuable connections established with the Prithvi Narayan Campus to establish a long-term series of schools in Pokhara. “I would be delighted to continue collaborating with the KAS scientific organizing committee for future educational initiatives in Pokhara” says Associate Professor Dahal.
The program on computational astrophysics (KAS18) was attended by 25 students and lecturers from different universities around the globe.
(Note: To see the pictures related to the program, please open the link below to download the pdf version of the news.)
Published by: Administration
Published on 2018-06-14
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