GYAN Fellows

GYAN Teaching Fellows

Ajay Khadka

Teaching Fellow

Ajay Khadka

Teaching Fellow

Ajay Khadka has over four years of experience teaching in community schools across Dolakha, Ramechhap, and Tanahun. He currently served as a Saathi Teacher at Shree Chhimkeshwary Secondary School, focusing on foundational literacy for primary students. Previously, he worked as an English Teacher and School Coordinator at Yangchenma Academy and established Child and Eco-Clubs at Himalayan Spirit Academy. Ajay has led multiple community projects, including an Online Safety Workshop for over 100 students and an Interschool Literacy Competition involving five schools. He pursues  BA in Sociology and Home Science from Patan Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University. As a GYAN Innovation Hub Fellow, Ajay is committed to bridging learning gaps, engaging parents, and inspiring students to pursue STEM careers. He believes that sustained educator presence is the most powerful tool for transforming government school education in Nepal.

Amy Deuja

Teaching Fellow

Amy Deuja

Teaching Fellow

Amy holds a Master of Technology in Enterprise Systems and Business Analytics from Federation University, Australia. With a diverse background in administrative and people-focused roles, she brings strong communication, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. Her experience working with individuals from varied backgrounds has shaped her inclusive approach. As a Gyan Teaching Fellow, she is committed to creating engaging learning environments and contributing meaningfully to students’ growth.

Ayush Phuyal

Teaching Fellow

Ayush Phuyal

Teaching Fellow

Ayush Phuyal is a licensed Civil Engineer and a graduate of Nepal College of Information Technology, Pokhara University (2025). As a GYAN Teaching Fellow at the Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS), he teaches Science to students in government schools, working to guide and inspire the next generation to pursue careers in STEM. He is also a published researcher, with his work focusing on the seismic response of residential reinforced concrete buildings, examining how plan irregularities influence structural performance under earthquake conditions, a topic of critical relevance to Nepal. Having experienced firsthand the gap in quality STEM mentorship within Nepal's public education system, Ayush is driven by a personal commitment to bridge that divide and build a strong scientific foundation in young students.

Diksha Chudal

Teaching Fellow

Diksha Chudal

Teaching Fellow

Diksha Chudal is a Development Studies student at Kathmandu University with an interest in gender economics and social inclusion. Her experience includes working with Astitwo Nepal on issues related to Acid/Burn-based violence and awareness, and reporting for Global Pop-Up Newsroom, focusing on storytelling and advocacy. She has also worked as a social mobilizer with Sahara Nepal in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Nepal. She contributed to a collaborative research project with students from the Institute for Integrative Conservation at William & Mary on water security and climate change impacts on groundwater extraction in Nepal, including field-based data collection and analysis. She participated in an Erasmus+ exchange at Palacký University, Czech Republic. As President of the Leo Club of Kathmandu Nagarjun and a GYAN Fellow, she is interested in promoting more inclusive STEM spaces. Beyond academics, she is drawn to spirituality, travel, music, poetry, and everyday human stories.

Dipesh Lamichhane

Teaching Fellow

Dipesh Lamichhane

Teaching Fellow

Dipesh Lamichhane earned his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Engineering from Reva University, Bangalore. After several years in the IT sector, he is now pivoting toward the social sciences, driven by curiousity for quantitative research and public education. He aims to leverage his technical background to bring data-driven insights to social issues, particularly education.

Hasna Deshar

Teaching Fellow

Hasna Deshar

Teaching Fellow

Hasna Deshar holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and has experience working in the education sector. She brings experience implementing and facilitating hands-on, learner-centred activities in schools and community settings, along with facilitating teacher professional development sessions. Her interest lies in community-driven learning.

Kewal Rijal

Teaching Fellow

Kewal Rijal

Teaching Fellow

Kewal Rijal holds a Joint Master's Degree in Global Development Policy under the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Programme in Europe. His research interests include art, culture and education. He has worked as a freelance researcher studying the Spatial Distribution of Intangible Cultural Heritages and World Heritage Sites worldwide. He is passionate about creating an equitable and just public education culture in Nepal.

Madan Rijal

Teaching Fellow

Madan Rijal

Teaching Fellow

Madan Rijal is a B.Sc. Agriculture graduate from IAAS, Lamjung, and a GYAN Fellow with the Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS). With a background in agronomy and field-based research, he has engaged in crop science. As an embedded academic partner, he focuses on strengthening STEM education and guiding secondary school students toward informed career pathways. Interested in public service and education, he aims to apply his knowledge in ways that create practical and meaningful impact.

Pratikshya Bhattarai

Teaching Fellow

Pratikshya Bhattarai

Teaching Fellow

Pratikshya Bhattarai is a recent graduate with bachelor's degree in Computational Mathematics from Kathmandu University. She is enthusiastic and desires to make a difference in the education sector in Nepal through GYAN Fellowship by strengthening STEM pipeline. She is interested in Statistical Analysis, Research, Software development and Cybersecurity. She desires to gain more knowledge in Statistics to develop statistical methods to collect and interpret data. In her free time, she likes gardening, hiking, running and spending quality time with friends and family.

Raj Basnet

Teaching Fellow

Raj Basnet

Teaching Fellow

Raj Basnet recently completed his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Tribhuvan University. He has gained hands-on experience in community development through his involvement with Volunteers Initiative Nepal (VIN), contributing to infrastructure development project in rural communitie. Additionally, as part of the European Solidarity Corps program, he was involved in child-centered initiatives, supporting educational activities that helped students build confidence, communication skills, and environmental awareness. Currently, Raj is serving as a Gyan Fellow at IIDS Nepal, where he focuses on delivering STEM education through interactive and practical approaches. With a strong interest in using engineering as a tool for social impact, he is passionate about bridging the gap between technical knowledge and community development. His combined experience in fieldwork and education continues to shape his goal of contributing to sustainable infrastructure and empowering young learners.

Roshan Pant

Teaching Fellow

Roshan Pant

Teaching Fellow

Roshan Pant is Bsc Agriculture graduate currently pursuing Msc Agriculture specialization in Plant Breeding at Tribhuvan University. He possesses a strong technical foundation in genetic research, focused on enhancing crop resilience and food security. Various hands-on experience in managing field trials and analyzing plant variability. Roshan has specialized in evaluating diverse wheat genotypes across varying environmental conditions. His background in agricultural science and his commitment to data-driven research provide him with invaluable insight into the complexities of regional agricultural development. Beyond the field, Roshan is deeply committed to contribute Nepal’s education system, believing that the future of national development lies in bridging the gap between scientific innovation and the classroom.

Rosna Devkota

Teaching Fellow

Rosna Devkota

Teaching Fellow

Rosna Devkota is an agriculture graduate from Agriculture and Forestry University, Nepal. Her major research experience is in horticulture and economics focusing on post-harvest and impact analysis. She has further published three research papers in different journals. She also has experience of Research Assistant at Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), where she performed agromorphological characterization and DNA extraction along with various laboratory and field works. At IIDS, Rosna's work as a science fellow is more towards strengthening STEM pipeline. She aims to dissipate her knowledge and learn simultaneously.

Sahil Bhattarai

Teaching Fellow

Sahil Bhattarai

Teaching Fellow

Sahil Bhattarai holds a B.Sc. in Computer Science and Information Technology, with a strong interest in applied STEM education. He has developed educational games and contributed to student-focused platforms that simplify learning. His work focuses on inclusive STEM teaching at the secondary level. His passion lies in creating engaging and accessible classrooms that foster curiosity and confidence among diverse learners across Nepal.

Smarika Tiwari

Teaching Fellow

Smarika Tiwari

Teaching Fellow

Smarika Tiwari is an actuarial science graduate with a strong interest in using data and analytical thinking to solve real-world problems. She was drawn to actuarial science because it combines mathematics, statistics, and critical thinking to assess risk and make informed decisions—skills that are essential in building sustainable and resilient systems. Currently, she is part of IIDS's Gyan Fellowship Program, where she works at the grassroots level to contribute to meaningful change in education. Her current work focuses on strengthening STEM education in public schools, ensuring that students have access to high-quality instruction in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Smarika chose to join this program because she wanted to move beyond simply recognizing challenges in society and instead be in a position where she could actively work toward solutions. Being part of this fellowship allows her to engage directly with communities, apply her skills in impactful ways, and grow as a change-maker.

Utsav Shrestha

Teaching Fellow

Utsav Shrestha

Teaching Fellow

Utsav Shrestha holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Information Technology from Deerwalk Institute of Technology. While his foundation is in technology, his deeper interest lies in understanding people: what drives behavior, shapes decisions, and influences how individuals relate to themselves and others. As a fellow at My Emotions Matter, he promoted emotional literacy in community schools, sparking a keen interest in emotional intelligence and Nonviolent Communication. Currently part of the IIDS Gyan Fellowship, Utsav seeks to contribute to work that aligns with purpose and impact. He values deep one-on-one conversations as spaces for reflection and growth, and engages in continuous learning across psychology, health, and technology.

GYAN Teaching Fellows

Ajay Khadka

Amy Deuja

Ayush Phuyal

Diksha Chudal

Dipesh Lamichhane

Hasna Deshar

Kewal Rijal

Madan Rijal

Pratikshya Bhattarai

Raj Basnet

Roshan Pant

Rosna Devkota

Sahil Bhattarai

Smarika Tiwari

Utsav Shrestha

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