WORKSHOP ON PLASMA PHYSICS AND INTRODUCTION OF PLASMA EXPERIMENTS AT UNIVERSITY COURSESPlasma Physics studies and research have been considered important globally because of its several important industrial applications such as nuclear energy studies, material science, neutron generation, thin film deposition, surface modification, magneto-hydrodynamic generator, Plasma accelerators. To introduce these areas through different presentations by experts working in these fields, a one day workshop was organized jointly by the Department of Natural Sciences, School of Science, Kathmandu University & Central Department of Physics, Tribhuvan University on 17^th of December, 2012. The program was held at the CV Raman Auditorium hall at KU, Dhulikhel. There were altogether 26 participants in the program. The workshop was focussed basically in explaining the different aspects of Plasma studies and their application in different fields of life.The program was inaugurated by Professor Dr. Panna Thapa, Dean of School of Sciences, Kathmandu University (K.U.). In his welcome speech, Prof. Thapa outlined a brief introduction of the various programs run by Kathmandu university and also expressed his best wishes for the success of the workshop. The program was attended by different Professors and Associate Professors of Tribhuvan University (T.U.) and K.U. Two internationally established experts on the subject Dr.  Richard Kamendje (Fusion and Plasma Physicist, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria) and Dr. Suryakant Gupta (FCIPT Division, Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar, India) were invited to participate in the workshop and guide our researchers. The inaugural by Prof. Thapa was followed by a brief description about the history and growth of Plasma Physics studies in Nepal by Professor Dr. Lok Narayan Jha, the pioneer of Plasma Physics in Nepal, Head of Central Department of Physics, T.U. Professor Dr. Jeevan Jyoti Nakarmi, T.U., the first PhD student of Dr. Jha, also shared his part along with the research areas he and his students are interested and working in. Associate Professor Dr. Raju Khanal, T.U., an active member of Plasma Physics research and development of Plasma Physics studies in Nepal, hosted the event. He too discussed his research interests and briefly discussed about his students’ research and different papers published in international journals. The Head of Department of Natural Sciences, K.U., Assoc. Professor Dr. Deepak Prasad Subedi, also an active member of Plasma Physics research and studies in Nepal, described about the experimental achievements in Nepal under his supervision. He explained about thin film deposition, surface modification and other industrial applications of Plasma Physics. Along with these experts of Plasma Physics, students of T.U. and K.U., who had some prior exposure to Plasma Physics/technology, actively participated in the program.Dr. Kamendje gave a brief introduction to IAEA with lots of information about participation and opportunities for a developing nation like ours. He summarised the events related to the fusion since 1957 to the recent dates. Dr. Gupta, with his delightful presentation, shared the various applications of Plasma technology and importance of Plasma instrumentation.The program was concluded with a short discussion about how to implement the wide aspects of Plasma Physics in Nepal. The workshop was full of motivation and worth attending. Everyone praised the event and supported the fact that the continuation of such programs will give much exposure to anyone related to this field.
Photo: Participants of the workshop-Report by: Mr. Taya Nath Chetry: Participant of the workshop