The event brought together renowned educators, policy enthusiasts, and influential leaders to discuss holistic education approaches, youth empowerment, and the strengthening of educational collaboration between Nepal and India.
Speaking on the occasion, International Development Expert Navita Srikant said that transformative education can reshape the current learning and development landscape and address rampant outmigration. “Instead of seeing education as a mere ticket to mobility, it should be a tool for empowerment, critical thinking, and self-sufficiency,” she said, highlighting the need for a system that values skill development, holistic learning, and personal growth—reducing the necessity for youth to migrate in search of better opportunities.
In her keynote speech, Neeti Bhalla Saini, the principal of Mayo College Girls’ School, Ajmer, India, said that transformative education is essential for providing value to the youth and diversifying the parameters of success in the modern world. She highlighted the need for education models that equip young people with leadership, critical thinking, and resilience in the “BANI” world. “Education must evolve beyond textbooks. We must nurture leaders who understand the significance of collaboration, cultural exchange, and social responsibility,” she added.
During the conclave, a distinguished panel of experts participated in an engaging discussion on empowering girls through education, fostering inclusive learning environments and enhancing India-Nepal educational collaboration. Moderated by Narottam Aryal, the executive director of King’s College, the panel comprised popular actress and UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador Manisha Koirala, Neeti Bhalla Saini, Navita Srikant, and Ullens School Principal Medin Lamichhane.
The discussion highlighted strategies to bridge educational gaps, enhance women’s leadership in education, and integrate best practices from diverse global models.
The panel discussion was followed by an experience-sharing session featuring young professionals. Vedika Murarka, social entrepreneur and co-founder of Educase, and Devika Thapa, policy researcher at the Institute for Integrated Development Studies, shared their experiences in leveraging education for social change and policy impact.
Murarka has contributed to transforming education through Educase, which provides educational opportunities to underprivileged communities, while Thapa has played a key role in advancing gender equality and social inclusion as a policy researcher at IIDS Nepal.
In his concluding remarks, Narottam Aryal of King’s College emphasized the need for collaborative efforts between educators, policymakers and institutions in Nepal and India.
Himal Press 
