KATHMANDU, AUGUST 2
National College, affiliated with Kathmandu University, will host the International Conference on Applied Psychology (ICAP 2026) from August 6 to 8, bringing together psychologists, researchers, educators, practitioners and policymakers from 18 countries to discuss emerging issues in mental health and behavioural sciences.
The three-day conference, themed “Behavioral Science Advancement: A Multidisciplinary and Cross-Cultural Perspective,” will focus on topics including mental health, education, workplace well-being, community resilience, public policy and sustainable development, organisers said on Friday.
Kathmandu University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Rishikesh Wagle is scheduled to inaugurate the conference. Keynote speakers include Prof. Dr. Purnima Singh (India), Prof. Dr. Diane Carol Zelman (USA), Prof. Dr. Anwarul Hasan Sufi (Bangladesh), Prof. Dr. Hridaya Ratna Bajracharya (Nepal), Prof. Dr. Kati Fitzgerald (USA) and Prof. (Dr.) Payal Kanwar Chandel (India).
According to Madhav Prasad Neupane, principal of National College and conference convener, ICAP 2026 aims to strengthen international collaboration and promote evidence-based, culturally responsive approaches to addressing contemporary psychological and social challenges.
The conference will feature 96 peer-reviewed research papers spanning clinical and counselling psychology, neuroscience, organisational psychology, educational psychology, artificial intelligence and mental health, sports psychology, Buddhist psychology and disaster management.
Dr. Narendra Singh Thagunna, coordinating secretary of ICAP 2026, said the programme will include keynote sessions, panel discussions, workshops, symposiums and research presentations to facilitate international knowledge exchange and collaborative research.
Organisers said selected papers presented at the conference will be published in peer-reviewed journals, including Bodhi: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Kathmandu University and Samriddhi Journal of Development Studies, as well as in edited book volumes.
The organisers expect the event to strengthen National College’s academic profile in psychology while expanding international collaboration in research, education and professional development.