First-Ever EMBL-EBI Workshop Successfully Conducted in Nepal at Pokhara University by MSc Bioinformatics Program, School of Engineering

NEWS  |  SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING  |  ACADEMIC EVENTS
11 February 2026  |  28 Magh 2082  |  PU Centre Office, Sabha Hall , Pokhara University

The School of Engineering at Pokhara University scripted a historic moment for Nepal’s bioinformatics community on 11 February 2026 with the successful organization of the Ensembl Genome Browser Workshop—the first time that EMBL-EBI, one of the world’s leading bioinformatics institutes, has conducted a training workshop in Nepal. Held at PU Centre Office Sabha Hall from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, the event brought together a total of 22 participants, including 18 students and faculty members directly benefitting from hands-on training on one of the world’s most powerful genomic database platforms.

The workshop was facilitated by Ms. Louisse Paola Mirabueno, Ensembl Outreach Officer at EMBL-EBI’s Wellcome Genome Campus, UK, who delivered comprehensive sessions covering genomic visualization, gene and transcript exploration, Variant Effect Predictor (VEP), comparative genomics, and BioMart bulk data export. All participants received official EMBL-EBI training materials and a certificate of participation upon completion.

Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor Madan Baral, who spearheaded the initiative, reflected on the significance of the achievement. “This workshop is the result of persistent outreach to the EMBL-EBI team and their commitment to support Nepal as a low- and middle-income country. It has been a privilege to make this first-of-its-kind collaboration a reality,” he said. Associate Professor Namaraj Dhami added that thorough preparation and strong international collaboration were central to the event’s success, noting that “this sets a strong precedent for future partnerships that will benefit our students and researchers.”

Facilitator Ms. Louisse Paola Mirabueno expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Pokhara University and Assistant Professor Madan Baral for making this workshop possible. “This is the first time EMBL-EBI has delivered a training program in Nepal, and I am truly happy with the arrangements, coordination, and the incredible enthusiasm of every participant. I love this country and I am deeply moved by the warmth, support, and engagement shown throughout the day. It has been an absolute privilege and joy to be part of this landmark moment for Nepal’s bioinformatics community.”

Director of the School of Engineering, Professor Dr. Binay Kumar Mishra, praised the effort as a reflection of the institution’s commitment to capacity building through international collaboration and extended his “sincere gratitude to Assistant Professor Madan Baral for his dedication and leadership in making this landmark event possible.” Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Associate Professor Buddhi Raj Joshi, congratulated the organizing team and described the workshop as “a shining example of Pokhara University’s vision of academic excellence through global partnerships.”

The success of this workshop marks the beginning of a sustained relationship between Pokhara University and EMBL-EBI. As home to Nepal’s first MSc Bioinformatics program, the School of Engineering remains committed to forging international collaborations that equip students and faculty with world-class skills, advancing Nepal’s growing capacity in genomics research and computational biology.

Workshop at a Glance

MSc Bioinformatics Program  |  School of Engineering  |  Pokhara University

Nepal’s First MSc Bioinformatics Program  |  Contact: Asst. Prof. Madan Baral, Program Coordinator