Editorial

Abstract

We are pleased to present Volume 5, Issue 1 of the Janabhawana Research Journal, published by the Research Management Cell (RMC) of Jana Bhawana Campus. This issue brings together nine peer-reviewed research articles covering diverse areas of economics, education, artificial intelligence, banking, literature, politics, and language studies. Through these contributions, the journal continues its commitment to promoting meaningful research, critical inquiry, and knowledge sharing on issues relevant to academic and social development.

The issue begins with a study by Reena Adhikari, Gyan Mani Adhikari, and Udaya Kishor Tiwari on tax revenue and economic cycles in Nepal. The study finds that tax revenue grows slightly faster than GDP in the long run and responds differently during periods of economic expansion and contraction. The findings offer useful insights for fiscal sustainability and revenue policy.

Two articles focus on the growing role of artificial intelligence in education. Suresh Bahadur Diyal and Rom Kant Pandey examine university teachers' perceptions and experiences of AI in teaching and learning. The study reports positive attitudes toward AI while highlighting concerns about institutional support, policy, plagiarism, data privacy, and overdependence. Similarly, Anmol Maharjan and Lila Nyaichyai explore AI use among undergraduate students and find evidence of purposeful and systematic use, while emphasizing the need for AI literacy and clear institutional guidance to promote ethical use.

Swekshya Adhikari critically examines teacher readiness for assessment reform in Nepal's primary schools. The article argues that although continuous assessment is based on a sound educational philosophy, its successful implementation requires adequate teacher preparation, professional development, and institutional support.

In the area of literature and film studies, Icchya Thapa and Sushil Paudel explore poetic realism and children's altruism in Abbas Kiarostami's Where Is the Friend's House?. The study highlights how the film presents ethical responsibility through simple acts of compassion and everyday human relationships.

Two studies address important issues in the Nepalese banking sector. Kabita Pulami and Damodar Niraula investigate factors influencing dividend practices and find that return on assets and earnings per share are significant determinants of both cash and stock dividends. Lila Adhikari, Pitambar Sapkota, Sandip Paudel, and Naba Raj Bhandari examine credit risk and bank performance, finding that non-performing loans and loan loss provisions negatively affect performance, while stronger capital adequacy contributes positively to sustainable banking outcomes.

Tapendra Bahadur Thapa critically examines the changing nature of class struggle and ideological divergence in Nepal's communist movement. The article reflects on the transformation of political ideals and raises concerns about crony capitalism, corruption, and the growing distance between political leadership and working-class realities.

Finally, Sujan Sodari examines undergraduate students' understanding of grammatical cohesion. The study identifies strengths and weaknesses in students' use of cohesive devices and emphasizes the importance of incorporating modern linguistic approaches into language teaching to improve academic and creative writing.

Together, these nine articles reflect the broad range of research interests within the academic community and address issues of contemporary relevance. They demonstrate how research can contribute to understanding economic challenges, educational transformation, technological change, financial management, political development, literary interpretation, and language learning.

We sincerely thank all the contributing authors for their valuable research and the peer reviewers for their time, expertise, and constructive feedback. We also appreciate the efforts of the editorial team and everyone involved in bringing this issue to publication. We hope that the articles in this issue will stimulate further research, discussion, and scholarly engagement among our readers.