3rd Bob & Jang / Xavier Academy Conservation Award 2025 Honors Environmental Leadership and Community Initiatives

EDUCAST, October 6, 2025 — The 3rd Bob & Jang / Xavier Academy Conservation Award 2025 was held with enthusiasm at Alice Reception, Gairidhara, Kathmandu. Organized by Xavier Academy and Nepal Education Foundation in collaboration with Climate Change and Co-Existence Worldwide (CCCEW), the event celebrated individuals and groups contributing to environmental conservation, community engagement and female empowerment through education.

The ceremony began with a serene musical performance by Xavier Academy +2 students, featuring violinist Susanta Bhusal, pianist Tejesh Maharjan and flautist Tisha Manandhar. The formal session commenced with a welcome note followed by inauguration from special guests Mr. Bob and Mrs. Jang Dobias, philanthropists and founders of the award; Prof. Dr. Sriram Bhagut Mathe, Founding and Current Chairperson of Xavier Academy and Kathmandu Don Bosco College; and Prof. Dr. Pramod Shrestha, Former Chairperson of Xavier Academy.

As Coordinator of the Jury Committee, Prof. Dr. Shrestha highlighted three major award categories: the Bob & Jang / Xavier Academy Conservation Award 2025, the Community-Based Project Award 2025, and the Female Scholarship Program (2017–2025). These recognitions, he noted, aim to inspire greater dedication to environmental preservation, sustainable development and gender-inclusive education.

The Conservation Award 2025, including a cash prize of NPR 100,000, was presented to Ms. Doma Paudel for her outstanding contributions to environmental advocacy and eco-friendly initiatives. The Community-Based Project Award was jointly awarded to Pratyush Maharjan, Rejan Pandey, Smrita Saru, and Nazmin Fatima for their innovative community development project promoting climate awareness at the grassroots level.

In the Female Scholarship category, Ms. Sugandha Chaudhary from Saptari received the Bob & Jang Girl Student Scholarship Award (2023–2025) for her academic excellence and social dedication. With an impressive SEE score of 3.8, she represents educational resilience and empowerment among rural Nepali girls.

Cultural interludes, including a flute performance and a rendition of “Rato Ra Chandra Surya,” enriched the program’s patriotic and inspirational spirit. Addressing the gathering, Prof. Dr. Sriram Bhagut Mathe emphasized, “Education and conservation must go hand in hand if we are to secure a sustainable future,” praising youth engagement as vital to long-term environmental progress.

In his keynote speech, Mr. Bob Dobias reflected on the pressing challenges of climate change, calling for collaborative action among education, policy and community sectors. Tokens of appreciation were presented to Mr. Bob and Mrs. Jang Dobias  for their lasting contributions to education and conservation in Nepal. Additionally, Dr. Namindra Dahal was presented with a token of appreciation in recognition of his valuable contribution as a member of the Jury Committee.

The event concluded with a musical session and high tea, offering a warm space for interaction among guests, students, and awardees. Gracefully hosted by Ms. Jessica, the 3rd Bob & Jang / Xavier Academy Conservation Award reaffirmed its mission to encourage environmental stewardship, coexistence, and community leadership  inspiring all participants to continue their work toward a sustainable and harmonious future.