Session V: Harnessing Himalayan Indigenous Knowledge
The post-colonial era has created platforms for local and indigenous knowledge to prosper, providing economic opportunities for the local communities. HFF aims to be a platform where this indigenous knowledge of the Himalayan region can be promoted through different sectors, such as fighting climate change or spiritual healing. As a step towards this aim, this session hosts organizations or individuals working with local or indigenous knowledge in the Himalayan region to share their perspectives and goals.
Anushka Shrestha
Co-Founder and CEO
Makkuse
Anushka Shrestha, crowned Miss World Nepal 2019, is the Co-founder and CEO of Makkuse, a Nepali luxury dessert brand aiming to put the unique taste of Nepali deserts on the international culinary map. She also serves as the Regional Manager of Nepal for ACU, an Australian public university. A Commerce graduate, Anushka is a social entrepreneur and an avid learner.
Marie-Caroline Pons
Linguistics Researcher
Languages and Cultures of Oral Tradition (LACITO) UMR 7107 - CNRS
Dr. Marie-Caroline Pons is a linguist whose research has focused on the documentation and description of Trans-Himalayan (TH) languages of Nepal (Chepang, Magar, Khamci, Bhoto), and the history of their evolution. She is currently working on a Chepang trilingual dictionary (Nepali, English) and comparative research on TH languages.
Tshering Tenzin
CEO
Menjong Sorig Pharmaceuticals Corporation Limited
Tshering Tenzin, CEO of Menjong Sorig Pharmaceuticals Corporation Limited, previously led Dungsam Polymers Limited as CEO for over five years. He began his career managing Rural Electrical projects in the remotest areas of Bhutan for a decade. He later served as General Manager in government-owned companies like DHI Infra and Construction Development Corporation Ltd.
MODERATOR
Prativa Panday
Founder and CEO
Herveda Botanicals Pvt. Ltd.
Dr. Prativa Pandey, Founder/CEO of Catalyst Technology and Herveda Botanicals, is a distinguished scientist and science entrepreneur. With over 15 years of research and industrial expertise across many countries, she focuses on enhancing Nepal's medicinal and aromatic plants through innovative approaches. She has received prestigious awards including the NABIL-NAST Science and Technology Award 2019 and SAARC Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 for her contributions and holds three US patents in semiconductor technology.