Dr. Ashim Dhakal holds a PhD and a M.Sc. degree in Photonics Engineering, and a B. Tech degree in Electronics and Instrumentation engineering. He has been awarded several scholarships and awards since his school days: most notably Colombo plan scholarship and Erasmus mundus scholarship.

After his bright career as a doctoral fellow and scientist in IMEC and Ghent University-Belgium, world-leaders in the microelectronics and micro-photonics research, he returned Nepal in October 2016 to establish Phutung Research Institute, and to apply his skills and knowledge for the development of science and technology ecosystem in the country.