ECAN Marked 29th Anniversary with Commitment to Strengthen Education Consulting Sector

EDUCAST, The Nepal Educational Consultancy Association (ECAN) celebrated its 29th Establishment Day with a grand event held at Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu. The association, which has been playing a significant role for the past 28 years as an umbrella organization of educational consultancies providing reliable and quality counseling services for students aspiring for higher education abroad, officially entered its 29th year.

The program commenced with a welcome speech by ECAN Immediate Past President Prakash Pandey, who warmly welcomed all members, including those who had been part of ECAN in the past and have rejoined the association. The event witnessed the presence of prominent personalities and special guests, including the Chief Guest, Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, and Home Secretary Gokarnamani Dawadi as Special Guest.

In his address, Minister Gurung highlighted that education reform is key to national development. He stressed that Nepal could be developed as an education hub but pointed out the lack of seriousness in ensuring quality. “No one is seriously concerned about how to make education qualitative. The battle now is for a prosperous Nepal. Good governance is essential. The state has weakened, and the country is in a shameful state. Only by dismantling old structures and creating new ones can prosperity be achieved,” he remarked. He further called upon ECAN to not only facilitate students going abroad but also introduce programs to encourage their return to Nepal.

Special Guest Home Secretary Dawadi expressed the need to prevent discouragement among the youth within the country. He urged all stakeholders to make the education consultancy sector more transparent and disciplined, saying, “Laws must be respected, and everyone must register and operate legally. It is essential to provide quality service that people can trust. Even if others don’t, we ourselves must take the initiative to purify this sector.”

Adding to the congratulatory remarks, founder president of ECAN SK Shrestha, British Council General Manager Pratistha Raimajhi, Parents Federation President Suprabhat Bhandari, NCC Vice President Santosh Pandey, and Nepali Congress Central Member Gobinda Bhattarai shared their best wishes, acknowledging ECAN’s contribution to shaping the education consultancy sector in Nepal. They praised ECAN’s dedication and professionalism over the past 28 years and expressed hope for even greater achievements in the future.

The event also featured various award distributions, including the British Council IELTS Registration Award, the ECAN Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Top Tax Payer Award. ECAN also recognized member companies that appointed brand ambassadors for their organizations, presenting them with special honors. Such initiatives reflected ECAN’s commitment to promoting best practices and recognizing excellence within the sector.

During the program, Minister Gurung extended his best wishes for ECAN’s continued success. Tokens of love were distributed to sponsors and distinguished guests, acknowledging their contribution to the event and the association’s journey. The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks delivered by ECAN ECA Department Head Govinda Khanal, expressing gratitude to all attendees, supporters, and partners for making the event a grand success.

The program was rounded off with the concluding remarks by ECAN President Sheshraj Bhattarai, who highlighted ECAN’s achievements and vision for the future. He emphasized the association’s ongoing commitment to making Nepalese students globally competitive while maintaining high standards in counseling practices. The celebration ended with a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony followed by a networking dinner, providing an excellent opportunity for members, stakeholders, and guests to connect and exchange ideas. Photos Link