By Blake Jackson
A 19-member delegation from Kentucky State University’s College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources participated in the 5th Biennial International Scientific Conference hosted by the Association of Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of the Americas (NAPA), contributing to discussions on agricultural innovation, international education, and workforce development.
Held on May 26-28, 2026, in Indianapolis, the conference centered on the theme, “RAISE 2026: Resilient Agriculture through Innovation, Science and Education.”
The event brought together researchers, educators, students, policymakers, and industry leaders through keynote presentations, technical sessions, research competitions, networking activities, and visits to agricultural industry partners.
Kentucky State’s delegation included seven faculty members, nine students, and three staff members.
Dr. Marcus Bernard, dean of the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources and director of Land Grant Programs, delivered a keynote presentation highlighting the impact of 1890 Land-Grant Universities on agricultural education, research, innovation, and workforce preparation.
Dr. Buddhi Gyawali also led a panel exploring how international learning experiences strengthen agriculture education and global collaboration. During the discussion, students shared lessons from research and experiential learning opportunities in Nepal and Peru.
“Such international engagement is not simply about visiting another place; it is about building relationships, broadening perspective, and bringing those lessons back into our own communities,” said Shaneice Brown, student.
“One of the most eye-opening aspects of the experience was seeing the differences in food availability and food choices between the United States and Peru,” said Dashanta Gray, student.
“It made me reflect on how we often have access to many options but do not always make healthy choices, while for others, those choices may not even be available.”
“Global collaboration is essential for tackling the interconnected challenges of our time," said Dr. Gyawali.
"By bringing together shared experiences from places like the Cusco region of Peru and the Himalayas, we not only enrich our research but also co-create solutions that are locally grounded and globally relevant.”
Students also presented research on agriculture, sustainability, and natural resources. Several participants earned conference honors, including Dr. Suraj Upadhaya, who received the Early Career Scholar Award, while Shreesha Pandeya and Surekha Panthi earned awards for their research presentations.
“Receiving the Best Poster Presentation Award was a proud moment, but even more meaningful was the opportunity to represent Kentucky State,” Pandeya said.
“Attending the NAPA conference was a wonderful opportunity to share my research and connect with professionals,” Panthi said. “What made it truly unforgettable was the community’s profound cultural warmth, which beautifully reminded me of my home country, Nepal.”
Photo Credit: kentucky-state-university
Categories: Kentucky, Education, General