Innovative Research Award
Rajan Kumar Kandel — Assistant Professor and Lecturer of English Education, Surkhet Multiple Campus, Department of English Education, Graduate School of Education, Tribhuvan University, Nepal.
| Rajan Kumar Kandel |
| Affiliation |
Tribhuvan University, Surkhet Multiple Campus |
| Country |
Nepal |
| Scopus |
58837743800 |
| Documents |
3 |
| Citations |
6 |
| h-index |
2 |
| Subject Area |
English Language Education |
| Event |
Top Teachers Awards |
| ORCID |
0009-0004-4704-2491 |
Rajan Kumar Kandel is an English language education scholar and university teacher at Tribhuvan University whose academic work addresses English language teaching, teacher education, ICT integration, inclusive education, teacher professional development, and qualitative approaches to educational research. His documented scholarly profile records research publications and academic activities within English Language Education and related educational fields. [1][2]
Abstract
Rajan Kumar Kandel is an Assistant Professor and Lecturer in English Education at Tribhuvan University, Surkhet Multiple Campus, Nepal. His academic profile combines university teaching, research, professional development, and scholarly dissemination. His research interests encompass EFL/ESL education, teacher education, participatory action research, teacher identity, second language acquisition, higher education, classroom dynamics, social inclusion, inclusive education, and ICT-supported English language education. His documented publications examine contemporary issues including artificial intelligence awareness among university teachers, reader-response approaches to literary comprehension, ICT integration among university English faculties, and ICT practices among preservice English teachers. [3]
Keywords
ICT in Education; Action Research; Phenomenology; Qualitative Research; Narrative Enquiry; EFL/ESL; English Language Education; Teacher Education; Teacher Professional Development; Inclusive Education; Second Language Acquisition; AI; Higher Education.
Introduction
Rajan Kumar Kandel is a Lecturer of English Education at Tribhuvan University, Surkhet Multiple Campus, and is pursuing doctoral research in English Education through the Graduate School of Education, Faculty of Education, Tribhuvan University. His academic work is situated at the intersection of language pedagogy, teacher development, educational technology, inclusion, and educational research. He has participated in MOOCs, seminars, workshops, conferences, and academic dialogues and has disseminated scholarly work nationally and internationally.
His professional activities also include teaching research methodology for language education, English language teaching methods, and linguistics to graduate and postgraduate students. He has served as Head of the Department of English Education at Surkhet Multiple Campus and has maintained professional involvement with the Nepal English Language Teachers’ Association (NELTA).[1][2]
Research Profile
Rajan Kumar Kandel’s research profile is centered on English Language Education, with particular attention to the relationship between teachers, learners, pedagogy, technology, and institutional contexts. His stated interests include EFL/ESL, teacher education, participatory action research, teacher identity, second language acquisition, higher education, teacher professional development, classroom dynamics, social inclusion, inclusive education, and ICT in English language teaching. His recent publications indicate an applied orientation toward understanding technology adoption, pedagogical practice, and language-learning processes in educational settings. [3]
His academic and professional expertise includes pedagogy and education, teaching and learning, curriculum development, professional development, academic writing, collaborative learning, and e-learning. His methodological interests include qualitative research, phenomenology, narrative enquiry, and action research, providing a framework for investigating teachers’ experiences, perceptions, practices, and professional contexts.
- Pedagogy and educational practice
- English language teaching and teacher education
- ICT integration and e-learning
- Qualitative, narrative, phenomenological, and action research
- Inclusive education and professional development
Research Contributions
Rajan Kumar Kandel’s research contributions address practical and emerging questions in English Language Education. His work on ICT integration examines opportunities, challenges, and aspirations among university-level English faculties, thereby connecting educational technology with institutional and professional realities. [5] His collaborative research on preservice teachers considers practices and perceptions surrounding ICT integration in English language teaching, contributing evidence concerning technology-related teacher preparation. [5]
His collaborative publication on reader-response pedagogy examines literary comprehension in an EFL context, while more recent research investigates awareness and use of artificial intelligence tools among university teachers in Nepal. These studies collectively demonstrate an interest in contemporary pedagogical approaches, technology-mediated education, and the professional experiences of language educators. [4]
Publications
Rajan Kumar Kandel’s recent publications reflect a research agenda concerned with technology, pedagogy, and English language education. In 2026, Sharma Chapai, Kandel, and Joshi examined awareness and use of AI tools among university teachers in Nepal in Cogent Education, providing a qualitative perspective on emerging educational technologies. [3] Bist and Kandel investigated the reader-response approach to literary comprehension in an EFL context in the International Journal of Educational Reform. [4] In 2025, Kandel examined opportunities, challenges, and aspirations associated with ICT integration among university-level English faculties, while Kandel, Bhandari, and Bist studied preservice teachers’ practices and perceptions of ICT integration in English language teaching. [5]
- Sharma Chapai, K. P., Kandel, R. K., & Joshi, D. R. (2026). Exploring awareness and use of AI tools among university teachers in Nepal: A qualitative study. Cogent Education.
- Bist, R. B., & Kandel, R. K. (2026). Reader response approach for enhancing literary comprehension in an EFL context. International Journal of Educational Reform.
- Kandel, R. K. (2025). Opportunities, challenges, and aspirations of university-level English faculties in ICT integration. Contemporary Research: An Interdisciplinary Academic Journal.
- Kandel, R. K., Bhandari, B. M., & Bist, R. B. (2025). Preservice teachers’ practices and perceptions of ICT integration in English language teaching. SNPRC Journal.
Research Impact
The available bibliometric profile records three documents, six citations, and an h-index of two. [1] Within the broader context of English Language Education, his publications contribute to discussions of ICT integration, teacher preparation, literary comprehension, and emerging artificial intelligence practices in higher education. His research is particularly relevant to educational contexts where language teaching, teacher professional development, and digital transformation intersect.
His academic engagement extends beyond publications through participation in MOOCs, seminars, workshops, conferences, and professional dialogues. His membership as a life member of NELTA and previous service as Chairperson of NELTA Surkhet further indicate involvement in professional language-teaching communities.[1][2]
Award Suitability
For the Innovative Research Award associated with the Top Teachers Awards, Rajan Kumar Kandel’s profile demonstrates several research-relevant characteristics: active university teaching, doctoral-level research engagement, publication in peer-reviewed academic outlets, investigation of contemporary educational technologies, and sustained interest in teacher development and English Language Education. His recent work on AI awareness, ICT integration, preservice teacher practices, and reader-response pedagogy provides a coherent scholarly trajectory focused on current challenges and innovations in language education. [3][5]
The award suitability described here is based on the supplied academic profile and documented research outputs rather than an independent adjudication of award criteria. His combination of teaching, research, professional service, and technology-oriented scholarship provides a substantive basis for academic recognition in the field of English Language Education.
Conclusion
Rajan Kumar Kandel is an English Language Education academic at Tribhuvan University whose scholarly profile integrates language teaching, teacher education, educational technology, qualitative research, inclusion, and professional development. His recent publications address AI use, ICT integration, preservice teacher practices, and literary comprehension, reflecting engagement with contemporary questions in language education. Together with his university teaching and professional participation, these activities establish a research profile relevant to academic recognition for innovative work in English Language Education.[1]
External Links
References
- Elsevier. (n.d.). Scopus author details: Rajan Kumar Kandel, Author ID 58837743800. Scopus. https://www.scopus.com/pages/authors/58837743800
- ORCID. (n.d.). Rajan Kumar Kandel: ORCID record. ORCID. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4704-2491
- Sharma Chapai, K. P., Kandel, R. K., & Joshi, D. R. (2026). Exploring awareness and use of AI tools among university teachers in Nepal: A qualitative study. Cogent Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2026.2715835
- Bist, R. B., & Kandel, R. K. (2026). Reader response approach for enhancing literary comprehension in an EFL context. International Journal of Educational Reform. https://doi.org/10.1177/10567879241226712
- Kandel, R. K. (2025). Opportunities, challenges, and aspirations of university-level English faculties in ICT integration. Contemporary Research: An Interdisciplinary Academic Journal. https://nepjol.info/index.php/craiaj/article/view/79899