International Conference on Green Technology and Talent Management

The Oxford College of Engineering and Management (OCEM) recently hosted its flagship event, the "OCEM’s International Conference on Green Technology and Talent Management," on May 10-11, 2024. This prestigious conference provided a dynamic platform for academicians, researchers, and industry experts to engage in insightful discussions and collaborative initiatives. The event featured two comprehensive panel discussions at the beginning and end of the technical sessions, setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of key themes. Distinguished keynote speakers delivered impactful addresses after each panel discussion, offering profound insights into the fields of Green Technology and Talent Management. The technical sessions were intellectually enriching, with up to four parallel sessions running concurrently, each beginning with a keynote speech to set the tone for subsequent research paper presentations. The authors presented their innovative research, receiving valuable commentary and feedback from session chairs, fostering a constructive academic discourse and advancement environment. This report provides an overview of the conference's highlights, the contributions made by participants, and the outcomes of the discussions and presentations.

 

Background of the program

Oxford College of Engineering and Management (OCEM) is an esteemed private college affiliated with Pokhara University, established in 2000 AD. Located in Gaindakot, Nawalparasi, near Narayangarh city, OCEM stands as a pioneering institution for higher education in Nawalparasi and Chitwan districts, attracting students from surrounding areas. With a reputation as a premier institution, OCEM provides a range of programs in disciplines such as BBA, BCA, BE (Civil), and BE (E&E). The college is known for its robust infrastructure and plays a vital role in imparting education in engineering, management, computer application, and information technology. OCEM is actively engaged in research work, as evidenced by its annual publication of the OCEM Journal of Management, Technology, and Social Science, both in online and print formats. However, guaranteeing the continuity of journal publication has become a challenging task. The college faces difficulties in receiving research papers and manuscripts regularly and within a timely manner, highlighting the need to increase the number of authors. Furthermore, the variation in the standards of peer review poses another challenge. While some reviewers provide rigorous and precise suggestions, others offer feedback without clear indications, causing confusion for the editorial board during the publication process. To address these issues and facilitate blind peer review while collecting research papers, OCEM has organized a conference with the participation of academicians. The primary objective of this program was to establish a strong network among academicians, who can contribute as authors and reviewers, thereby improving the quality and continued publication of the journal. Additionally, OCEM has set its sights on obtaining the Quality Assurance and Accreditation (QAA) Certificate, which necessitates maintaining and continuously improving the quality of research journal publications. To achieve this, the college relies on the support and contribution of academicians from both within and outside the institution. Therefore, we are on the belief that the conference conducted served as a crucial step towards enhancing the quality of journal publications, sustaining the journal, and ensuring the overall growth and development of OCEM.

Objective of the Conference

The main objective of this program was to ensure quality enhancement of journal that the Oxford College of Engineering and Management has been publishing online and print version yearly.

The objectives

1. To develop a review standard with the consent of all participants
2. To identify problems and solutions for manuscript review
3. To build reviewer network and getting constructive suggestions continuously
4. To construct academic network for sustaining review work
5. To enhance quality improvement of journal
6. To motivate authors for research paper

Methodology

The program implemented a comprehensive methodology comprising four expert presentations aimed at enhancing the journal publication process. Each presentation was delivered by distinguished experts operating in the journal publication field and also serving as reviewers for various journals.

The participants of this program comprised reviewers listed in the college's journal, faculty members actively engaged in journal publication, faculty members willing to publish research article and members of the Research Management Cell of the college (RMC), some students interested in research publication and faculties from neighbor colleges. Each expert presentation had a duration of one hour and fifteen minutes, followed by a fifteen-minute discussion to allow for interactive exchanges and further exploration of the topics. This methodology ensured a comprehensive and engaging learning experience for the participants, enabling them to gain valuable insights and practical knowledge in the realm of journal publication.

The conference on quality improvement of journals organized by Oxford College of Engineering and Management (OCEM) has successfully addressed key challenges in journal publication and provided actionable recommendations. The conference emphasized the importance of increasing manuscript submissions, establishing standardized reviewer guidelines, and fostering a collaborative network of academicians. Moving forward, OCEM is encouraged to implement these recommendations to enhance the quality and impact of its journals. By doing so, OCEM can effectively contribute to the advancement of research and knowledge dissemination in its academic community.

Acknowledgement

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude and acknowledgement to UGC Nepal for their invaluable support in organizing the conference on quality improvement of journals. We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to the esteemed experts, Dr. Bijay Lal Pradhan, Dr. Anjay Kumar Mishra, Dr. Dasarath Neupane, and Dr. Basanta Prasad Adhikari, for dedicating their valuable time and delivering exceptional presentations that enriched the conference. Their expertise and insights have been instrumental in shaping the success of this event. We would also like to thank all the participants, faculty members, and staff of Oxford College of Engineering and Management (OCEM) for their active involvement and support throughout the conference. It is with their collective contributions that this conference has been a resounding success.