Innovating for a Better Future: In Conversation with Bishesh Khanal
Stepping into the premises of NAAMII, we were greeted with a warm welcome from the researchers. The energy in the office was palpable, with researchers and scientists hustling to work on the cutting-edge technologies shaping our future. As we sat down with Bishesh Khanal, the director and research scientist at NAAMII, we couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement and intrigue about the groundbreaking work being done within these walls.
After our introduction, we decided to go to a nearby cafe for a conversation. As we settled into our seats, we were greeted by the inviting aroma of steaming tea. We couldn’t resist the temptation and ordered a warm cup each. The tea served as the perfect icebreaker, allowing us to relax and dive into our discussion with ease. As we began our conversation with Mr. Khanal, it was immediately clear that his journey to the forefront of technology began long before his current position. We wanted to know about his early days and how he got started in the field of technology.
From Robotics Club to AI Research Frontier
In his reply, Mr. Khanal took us on a journey back to his college days, where as a member of the Robotics Club at Pulchowk Campus, he first dipped his toes into the world of robotics and discovered the wonders of building machines that could move. Later, he realized that for these machines to mimic human abilities, they needed more than just movement — they needed the ability to see. And thus, his journey into the world of computer vision began, which sparked a curiosity in him to give computers the gift of sight. Just like how our eyes capture signals and our brains interpret them to understand the world around us, he was working on teaching computers to identify people, navigate unfamiliar scenes, and much more. During his final year of college, Mr. Khanal got the opportunity to study at the University of York, UK, as an exchange student for six months. There, he realized that while the Robotics Club was a great learning platform for students, it was missing some crucial components: the involvement of faculty members and research. He saw that students were learning the basics of robotics but they didn’t have much guidance and support to think innovatively and explore new topics.
Upon his return to Nepal, he decided to address this issue by starting an innovation lab with Prof. Jyoti Tandukar in the Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering at Pulchowk Campus. The goal was to bridge the gap between the Robotics Club and faculty members and to encourage faculty members to get involved in research so that students could benefit from their expertise. However, despite his efforts, the lab wasn’t as successful as he had hoped. Mr. Khanal realized that as someone who had just completed his bachelor’s degree, he wasn’t yet equipped to lead big research projects.
Following his plan, he went to study computer vision in France. The more he started doing research in this field, the more he realized how complex it was. He was intrigued by how the human brain processes information so easily. Even a small child can see and understand things with ease. This made him more and more interested in the human brain. So, he spent five years studying and gaining experience in the field, delving into subjects like computational biology, bio-medicine, and neuroscience. It was during this time that he started to see the potential for applying medical imaging in the field of research and innovation in Nepal. He decided to focus on Alzheimer’s disease for his Ph.D., driven by his interest in the human brain and the potential application of medical imaging in Nepal. He spent his time in France, working with a team of renowned scientists, who were working on biomechanical modeling of the heart, brain tumors, and other areas of medical science and frontier research. It was inspiring to know that despite his success abroad, Mr. Khanal never lost sight of his goal to return to Nepal and contribute to the field of research.
As we sat in awe of his journey, the sounds of chatter and the clinking of coffee cups provided a background hum to our conversation and we wondered: how can we, as students, break free from the constraints of outdated syllabuses and exam-oriented lectures? How can we tap into our creative potential, come up with innovative ideas, and turn them into reality? We posed this question to him, eager to hear his wisdom on this matter.
Don’t Just Graduate
Mr. Khanal nodded and leaned forward as he spoke of the current education system in Nepal, which is heavily focused on exam-oriented study. Mr. Khanal suggested that students learn from online learning platforms and international textbooks in parallel with their college studies rather than just relying on manuals targeted for exams. He urged students to think beyond just acquiring specific skill sets and instead focus on developing problem-solving skills that will be valuable in an ever-changing world of technology. “The most valuable thing a student can have is creativity, the ability to view and approach problems in new ways, and a dedication to work hard with integrity,” he said with a sense of passion and urgency. Likewise, he shared with us that the key to thinking outside the box and coming up with innovative ideas is to understand and identify the needs and problems in Nepal and globally, and to be aware of where the world is headed. He also shared how at NAAMII, he and his team are trying their best to include students in different projects.
Meanwhile, a group of NAAMII interns walked into the cafe, chatting and laughing with one another as they settled in at a nearby table for lunch. Seeing them reinforced the idea that Mr. Khanal’s vision for NAAMII was being realized. Had he not returned to Nepal and started NAAMII, these young researchers may not have had the same opportunities to learn and grow. So, we jumped on the opportunity to ask him what inspired him to make the journey back to Nepal.
Homecoming
With a gentle smile, he shared with us that his vision is to make Nepal a leading place for higher education research. “This has been my dream since 2012, a constant thought in the back of my mind. The aim to come back and create a platform for students and researchers in Nepal to work on cutting-edge projects and engage with international researchers was so strong that nothing could have stopped me from turning it into reality. I used to be just one person working towards my growth, but now at NAAMII, we have a team of around 20 of us all learning and growing together,” he said, a sense of contentment evident on his face. “And that, to me, is truly fulfilling.”
Startup Things
As our conversation delved deeper, we touched upon the topic of thousands of Nepali youths going abroad daily for higher education and employment opportunities. This sparked our discussion about Nepal’s lack of a proper startup ecosystem, where students are frequently limited to projects that never see the light of day in the real world. Mr. Khanal spoke of how many students strive to build their own companies and work on their products but often get lost in the race to win awards and competitions rather than focusing on creating real value for their customers and making their ideas sustainable.
However, at NAAMII, they aim to make a difference in this current scenario. Firstly, they are working towards transforming their research into valuable products. Then, Mr. Khanal also shared about his new initiative named Incubetter, a place where NAAMII’s scientific research would be paired with the business acumen of a management school, the technical know-how of a software company, and the financial backing of investors to cultivate, nurture, and bring the ideas to life.
While we were having this talk, Mr. Khanal offered us a small dish of peanuts seasoned with a sprinkle of salt and other spices, a small token of hospitality that we eagerly accepted. As we munched on the savory snack, the conversation continued, adding a delicious punctuation to our discussion.
Score Big in the Game of Discovery
As we sat in the cafe surrounded by the colorful flags of various nations, still on display from the recent World Cup, we began to talk about the essential qualities a researcher should have. Mr. Khanal emphasized the importance of maintaining a curious and inquisitive mindset. “Never lose your sense of wonder and always question the status quo,” he advised. He also emphasized that one should approach research with a healthy dose of skepticism and critical analysis while remaining optimistic, knowing that progress in research often comes in small, incremental steps. He urged students to develop the habit of observing their surroundings with a keen and discerning eye, as this can often lead to unexpected insights and breakthroughs. And just like the diversity represented by the flags overhead, a diversity of perspectives and approaches is crucial in driving progress and discovery in the field of research.
Beware — Here’s the Trap!
Mr. Khanal then uncovered a hidden issue lurking beneath the surface: the existence of predatory journals, conferences, and workshops that falsely claim to be legitimate scholarly publications. He noted that many students believe they have published their research in reputable organizations such as IEEE without realizing that IEEE encompasses hundreds of journals and conferences, each with varying levels of credibility. The importance of peer review in determining the quality and originality of research cannot be overstated, and it is crucial to thoroughly investigate the legitimacy of journals and conferences before submitting one’s work. These predatory entities often lack proper review processes and may even charge for publication, resulting in subpar research being presented as credible. Mr. Khanal concluded by saying it’s important to be vigilant and raise awareness about this issue to ensure that students’ hard work and valuable research don’t go to waste by being published in predatory journals.
As we savored the last of the seasoned peanuts, we knew that our conversation had only scratched the surface of his journey and vision for Nepal’s higher education research. We returned to the NAAMII office and snapped a photo, capturing a moment of inspiration and possibility. It was as if we had been on a journey through a maze, traversing the twists and turns of his story, and finally reaching the heart of the maze, where the light of his vision shone. And just like a maze, the path ahead is filled with many more unending lines to be drawn, discoveries to be made, and new talents to be recognized. As we walked away, we knew that the story of research and innovation in Nepal was far from over; it had just begun.
