First National Conference on Ethnomathematics in Nepal: Dec, 8th-9th

Ethnomathematics refers to the mathematical ideas and concepts that are practiced within identifiable cultural groups. This concept was pioneered by the Brazilian educator and philosopher Ubiratan D’Ambrosio, whose work has inspired a global understanding of how mathematical knowledge is culturally bound. The National Conference on Ethnomathematics will be held to recognize and celebrate his birthday for the first time in Nepal.

The theme of the conference, “Exploring Ethnomathematics in the Nepalese Context and Recognizing Diverse Knowledge Systems,” closely aligns with D’Ambrosio’s foundational ideas. 

The aim of the conference is to bring to light the richness and diversity of the mathematical knowledge systems that exist within the cultural groups of Nepal. 

The two-day National Conference, scheduled for December 8-9, 2024, is being organized by the Department of Mathematics Education at Mahendra Ratna Campus, Tribhuvan University, Nepal, in collaboration with several prominent institutions, including the Nepal Ethnomathematics Society (NEmS), the Council for Mathematics Education (MEC), the Nepal Mathematics Center (NMC) and the Women of Nepal in Mathematical Sciences (WoNiMS). 

The Keynote Speakers include: Prof. Dr. Milton Rosa and Prof. Dr. Daniel C. Orey (Federal University of Ouro Preto – UFOP, Brazil), Prof. Dr. Kay Owens (Charles Sturt University, Australia); and from Nepal, Tribhuvan University: Prof. Dr. Bed Raj Acharya (Director of Graduate School of Education), Prof. Dr. Eka Ratna Acharya.

(Adapted from the text by Prof. Dr. J. B. Pradhan, “National Conference on Ethnomathematics: Ethnomathematical Activities in Nepal”, published in ISGEm Newsletter 22.2, November 2024.)