Dr. Bivek Baral is a distinguished academic and energy systems expert serving as the Chair of this year’s Scholars’ Conference. He is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Kathmandu University and Managing Director of Kathmandu UniConsult Centre, a university-owned consulting enterprise bridging academic insight with practical solutions.Dr. Baral holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, where he conducted pioneering research on combustion and emissions in spark ignition engines using adulterated fuels. He earned his Master’s degree in Thermofluid Engineering from the University of Tokyo, Japan, and his undergraduate degree from Kathmandu University.Over a career spanning more than two decades, Dr. Baral has demonstrated leadership in academia, applied research, and institutional development. His teaching portfolio includes advanced courses in thermodynamics, heat transfer, energy-efficient building design, and renewable energy systems. As a mentor, he has guided numerous graduate and doctoral students, many of whom are contributing to Nepal’s energy transition.

Dr. Baral leads the Energy Systems and Technology Research Laboratory (ESTRL) at Kathmandu University, a multidisciplinary initiative supported by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) under the EnergizeNepal program. His research spans clean energy technologies, electric vehicles, thermal system optimization, electric cooking, and climate-resilient building design.His projects have had wide-reaching impacts, including the development of biomass-based rural electrification models, road transport emission assessments for the World Health Organization, feasibility studies on community-scale spray drying technologies, and consulting services for national infrastructure projects such as fuel storage systems.In addition to his academic and research endeavors, Dr. Baral has served in several institutional leadership roles, including Academic Coordinator for graduate programs, Director of the Kathmandu University Technical Training Centre, and Associate Director for Student Welfare.A recipient of prestigious fellowships and awards—including the Erasmus Mundus STRoNGTiES Fellowship, New Zealand Development Scholarship, and the Monbukagakusho Scholarship from Japan—Dr. Baral exemplifies a global academic vision rooted in local relevance. His work bridges research, innovation, and policy, and his leadership at this conference reflects a commitment to scholarly rigor, interdisciplinary collaboration, and sustainable development.