Dr Kalika Prasad Upadhyay completed his PhD at The University of Queensland, Australia in 2015 with the support of Australia Awards. He has 18 years of experience on agricultural research. He has contributed to develop agro-ecologically suitable horticultural technologies for the hills of Nepal. His interesting findings on how biochar influences on crop growth and colonisation of horticultural crops by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi could contribute to information in the areas of waste management, organic agriculture, carbon management, soil fertility management, climate change and sustainability.
Australia Awards alumnus Dr Kalika Prasad Upadhyay shares on his present status at his institution: “Now I am working as a Senior Scientist in Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) and the PhD I received with the support of Australian government’s prestigious scholarship has uplifted my professional career.” He shared his experiences about life in Queensland to the outgoing Australia Awards Short Course (scheduled to be in Brisbane) on Inclusive Education participants during their Pre-Departure Briefing session in April 2016.
He says, “When I arrived at Brisbane airport in January 2011, the major residential area of Queensland was suffering from devastative flood. I stayed at a motel for 5 nights in Brisbane. DFAT supported me every moment of that tough time. I am grateful to the Australian government for the support for living in Australia from 2011 to 2015 to pursue PhD in agriculture at the University of Queensland.”
Dr Upadhyay explained his significant academic achievements – “I was proud of being a DFAT fellow when my research article based on PhD thesis received – Student Paper Award in the 29th International Conference on Solid Waste Technology and Management held at Philadelphia in USA from 30 March to 2 April in 2014. The University of Queensland also granted me recognition by publishing my cover story in UQ news and other bulletins – http://www.science.uq.edu.au/kalika-upadhyay; https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2014/05/uq-serves-award-winning-research.”
He further adds – “I was selected as a student representative (among 100s of PhD students) for the School’s Occupational Health and Safety Committee by the School of Agriculture and Food Science. It was a great opportunity for me to learn the Australian system to maintain a laboratory, and to assess and manage risks and hazards from chemicals and tools.”
“I also participated in social functions such as the multicultural shows by exhibiting Nepali culture. Australian people were much impressed when I performed by singing with traditional Nepali uniform at Lockyer Valley Multicultural Show at Gatton in 2012” he explained his extracurricular and social activities.
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