Celebrating Australian Alumni’s Contributions to Nepal’s Development

EDUCAST, The Association of Nepalese Alumni from Australia (ANAA) successfully hosted its 1st Bagmati Provincial Meet with the theme “Celebrating Alumni Contributions to Nepal’s Development.” Held at Hotel Barahi in Thamel, the event brought together prominent Nepali professionals educated in Australia, now making impactful contributions across public service, academia, health, environment, media, and innovation. The event was organized with the support of the Australian Embassy in Nepal and represented a significant step in provincial-level alumni networking.

The program commenced at 3:00 PM, following a registration and welcome tea session. Mr. Ananta Poudyal, President of ANAA, formally welcomed all participants and highlighted the importance of alumni engagement in nation-building. Shortly after, Dr. Ram Hari Aryal, the Founding President of ANAA, gave a brief but insightful overview of the association’s history and mission. Both emphasized that alumni serve as bridges between global educational exposure and local development needs.

The first session of the program focused on presentations that showcased alumni contributions in diverse sectors. The session was moderated by Ms. Manisha Burlakoti, ANAA Board Member and Project Officer at UNDP. The session featured five distinguished speakers. Ms. Rajuna Singh, a Disability Inclusion Expert with a Master’s degree from Flinders University, discussed her work promoting inclusive education and accessibility in Nepal through Sundar Dhoka Saathi Sewa and international platforms. Dr. Dhiraj Pradhananga, a hydrometeorologist and core member of the UNESCO Chair in Mountain Water Sustainability, spoke on glacier preservation and climate resilience, drawing from his research and leadership at Tribhuvan University. Professor Kushum Shakya, a senior economist and former Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Tribhuvan University, reflected on academic leadership, policy research, and quality assurance in higher education. Ms. Hema Bhatt, Country Manager of Oxford Policy Management Nepal and Vice President of ANAA, shared insights from her 15 years of work in public health systems and governance reform across South Asia. Lastly, Mr. Sushant Rijal, who leads Innovation Kitchen at King’s College, described his efforts to advance design thinking, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning for youth-led development.

The second session featured a high-level panel discussion with accomplished alumni from government, media, banking, energy, and health sectors. This session was moderated by Mr. Sudarshan Neupane, General Secretary of ANAA and Country Director of WaterAid Nepal. Dr. Ram Prasad Ghimire, Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, emphasized evidence-based policymaking and public administration reform. Ms. Sambridhi Gyawali, CEO of Nepal Republic Media and co-founder of Mama Nepal, discussed media innovation, civic engagement, and women’s empowerment. Mr. Deepak Rauniyar, Founder of Oorja World and a sustainability expert with over three decades of leadership, spoke on digital innovation and clean energy in South Asia. Mr. Gyanendra Prasad Dhungana, former CEO of Nabil Bank and ex-President of the Nepal Bankers’ Association, reflected on leadership and economic reform in Nepal’s financial sector. Ms. Dibya Laxmi Manandhar, a public health and nutrition professional with over 20 years of experience, shared her work at national and grassroots levels, advocating for multi-sector collaboration in public health delivery.

Following the panel, a brief interactive question-and-answer session allowed attendees to directly engage with the presenters and panelists, fostering commitments for future collaboration. Representing the Australian Embassy in Nepal, Deputy Head of Mission Mr. Greg Klemm addressed the audience, praising ANAA for organizing the event and reaffirming Australia’s support for alumni initiatives that strengthen Nepal’s inclusive development goals.

The event concluded with closing remarks and a vote of thanks by Professor Dr. Kashiraj Pandey, Vice President of ANAA and Associate Professor of English at Kathmandu University. Dr. Pandey appreciated the dedication of alumni who are translating their Australian education into transformative work within Nepal. A networking and high-tea session followed, offering participants a relaxed space for continued conversation and collaboration.

ANAA’s 1st Bagmati Provincial Meet stands as a landmark in fostering regional alumni partnerships and leveraging international education for local progress. The initiative sets a precedent for similar engagements in other provinces, amplifying the role of Nepali-Australian graduates in Nepal’s development journey.