Canberra, October 23, 2024 – The prestigious Nepal Education Award Australia 2024 was held at the renowned Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, honoring exceptional achievements and innovation in Nepal's education sector. Organized by College Readers, a prominent educational magazine in Nepal, this fourth edition of the awards spotlighted the remarkable contributions of educational institutions, academic pioneers, and dedicated educators who are shaping the future of Nepalese education.

The event drew an esteemed audience, including academicians, diplomats, and leaders in education. Thirty-four institutions and fifteen individual educators received accolades for their contributions across various categories. Notable dignitaries included the Acting Ambassador of Nepal to Australia, Mr. Bhojendra Kumar Lingden, who attended as the Special Guest, and Prof. Dr. Dipak Bahadur Shakya, who served as the Chief Jury. Ram Hari Silwal, Chair of the Nepal Education Award Committee, presided over the ceremony.

A Significant Milestone

This year's ceremony, following previous editions in Dubai (2022) and Japan (2023), marks a significant milestone in the history of the Nepal Education Award series, expanding its global reach. Australia, a favored destination for Nepali students seeking higher education, provided an ideal setting for this prestigious event. The award not only showcased Nepal’s academic achievements but also strengthened educational ties between Nepal and Australia, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Award Categories and Honorees

The 2024 Nepal Education Award celebrated achievements across diverse categories, recognizing institutions and individuals making substantial contributions to Nepal’s academic development. Key categories and notable awardees included:

School Awards

• Best School of the Year-2024: LRI School, Kalanki, Kathmandu

• Best Progressive School of the Year-2024: Kathmandu World School, Bhaktapur

• ICT in Education Award: Asia Pacific School, Kathmandu

• Excellence in School Leadership Award: International Joseph Public School, Kathmandu

• Emerging School of the Year: Wisdom Academy, Kalanki, Kathmandu

• Best School of the Year (Bagmati Province): Angels’ Heart Secondary School, Manamaiju, Kathmandu

• Goodwill Achievement Award: Adarsha Bidya Mandir School, Banepa, Kavre

• Best School of the Year (Koshi Province): East Horizon English High School, Dhulabari, Jhapa

• Best School of the Year (Lumbini Province): Gorkha Model Secondary School, Lamahi, Dang

• Best School of the Year (Sudur Paschim Province): RME School, Tikapur, Kailali

• Goodwill Achievement Award: Siddhartha Galaxy Public School, Tilottama, Rupandehi

+2 School Awards

• Best +2 College of the Year: Southwestern State College, Basundhara, Kathmandu

• Best +2 Management College of the Year: Global College of Management, Mid-Baneshwor, Kathmandu

• Best +2 Science School of the Year: Global School of Science, Mid-Baneshwor, Kathmandu

• Best +2 School of the Year (Out of Kathmandu Valley): Prativa Secondary School, Pokhara, Kaski

• Popular +2 School of the Year: Triton SS & College, Koteshwor-32, Kathmandu

• Best +2 Law School of the Year: Hrit Academy, Basundhara, Kathmandu

• Emerging +2 College of the Year: Manaslu World College, Chabahil, Kathmandu

• Best +2 School of the Year (Lumbini Province): Gyan Jyoti Secondary School, Tulsipur, Dang

College Awards

• Best College of the Year-2024: Oxford College of Engineering & Management, Gaindakot, Nawalpur

• Best Business School of the Year-2024: Global College International

• Best Engineering College of the Year-2024: Everest Engineering College, Sanepa, Lalitpur

• Best College for Academic Excellence Award: Herald International College, Basundhara, Kathmandu

• Emerging IT College of the Year: Himalaya College, Koteshwor, Kathmandu

• Promising Management & IT College Award: Jaya Multiple Campus, Gokarneshwor-08, Kathmandu

• Best Health Science & IT College of the Year-2024: Crimson College of Technology, Butwal, Rupandehi

• Best Hospitality and Management College of the Year-2024: Quest International College, Gwarko, Lalitpur

• Best IT College of the Year-2024: Texas International College, Chabahil, Kathmandu

• Best Business School of the Year (Out of Kathmandu Valley): Birgunj Public College, Panitanki, Birgunj-10

• Best Business School of the Year (Bagmati Province): Presidency College of Management Sciences, Bharatpur, Chitwan

• ICT Excellence Education & Innovation Award: Rapti Engineering College, Ghorahi, Dang

• Best College of the Year (Lumbini Province): Gyandeep College, Tulsipur, Dang

• Best Business School of the Year-2024 (Sudur Paschim Province): Nepal Western Academy, Dhangadhi, Kailali

• Excellence in Business Education Award: Brixton College, Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur

Individual Awards

• Excellence in Educational Leadership: Er. Dr. Mithlesh Kumar Jha, Chairman, Management Committee, Kathmandu World School, Bhaktapur

• Educational Leader of the Year-2024: Prof. Er. Hari Prasad Bhandari, Principal, Oxford College of Engineering & Management, Gaindakot

• Visionary Principal of the Year-2024: Ranjana Pradhan, Principal, Nightingale International School

• Innovative Educational Leadership Award: Ramesh Ghimire, Principal, Asia Pacific School, Kathmandu

• Best Principal of the Year-2024: Kiran Sapkota, Principal, Prativa Secondary School, Pokhara

• Innovative Educator in Leadership Award: Nisha Bhatt Tiwari, Academic Advisor, Brixton College, Mahendrangar

• Best Principal of the Year-2024: Krishna Prasad Paudel Upadhaya, Principal, Sagarmatha English Boarding School, Devdaha, Rupandehi

• Best Principal of the Year-2024: Vijayman Gharti Magar, Principal, Gorkha Secondary School, Tulsipur, Dang

• Best Principal for Community Schools: Prem Bahadur Basnet, Principal, Nabin Audhyogic Kadar Bdr Rita School, Butwal, Rupandehi

• Innovative Educator in Leadership Award: Kabita Sharma, Principal, Shepherd College, Kathmandu

• Innovative Educator in Multimedia Technology Award: Srijana KC, Managing Director, RR Shree School of Technology, Kathmandu

• Innovative Educator in Alternative Energy: Er.Dr. Rana Bahadur Thapa, Deputy Director, Alternative Energy Promotion Center, Kathmandu

• Leadership in Paramedical Education Award: Sudarshan Basnet, Principal, School of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu

• Education Entrepreneurship Award: Ashok Raj Pandey, Director, Herald International College, Kathmandu

• Best Finance Manager of the Year-2024: Hari Prasad Khanal, Senior Account Officer, Kathmandu World School, Bhaktapur

Inspiring Speeches and Closing Remarks

In his keynote address, Prof. Dr. Dipak Bahadur Shakya, Chief Jury, commended the honorees for their dedication to advancing Nepalese education and emphasized the need for continuous innovation to meet the demands of an evolving world. Acting Nepalese Ambassador to Australia, Mr. Bhojendra Kumar Lingden, underscored the importance of strengthening partnerships between Nepalese and Australian educational institutions to elevate Nepal’s education standards.

The event was marked by gratitude and shared experiences from award recipients, who highlighted the importance of holistic development and educational access to equip future generations with the skills needed for global competitiveness. The welcome speech and program highlights were presented by Mr. Bhawani Prasad Paudel, esteemed patron of College Readers, setting the tone for an inspiring and engaging event. 

Jeetendra Ghimire, CEO and Convenor of the Nepal Education Award Australia -2024, applauded the awardees and celebrated the strong bonds of collaboration among Nepalese educators. He stressed that the awards serve as an inspiration to advance quality education in Nepal by drawing on best practices observed in Australia. College Readers Executive Editor Keshav Nepal eloquently hosted the event, reflecting on the significance of holding the awards in Australia, where a vibrant Nepali community thrives, fostering positive impacts on Nepali academia.

Refreshment and Tour
In addition to the awards ceremony, College Readers organized a tour for participants to explore notable destinations across Australia, including Canberra, Sydney, Macquarie Fields, the Sydney Opera House, the Australian National University, Newcastle, the Blue Mountains, Darling Harbour, Featherdale Wildlife Park, and a Showboat Dinner Cruise. This experience offered attendees a chance to immerse themselves in Australia’s culture, sights, and educational landmarks, broadening their perspectives. Participants expressed their enjoyment and pledged to implement new insights and ideas in their own institutions, aiming to enhance educational practices back home.