KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 5

The stars Nepal alumni Study Tour 2024 brought together distinguished global leaders, government officials, business executives, and cultural ambassadors from Switzerland, Indonesia, the United States, Bangladesh, Singapore and Nepal for a five-day event in Kathmandu.

The study tour, themed 'Envisioning Nepal 2030,' highlighted Nepal's growth potential across sectors like technology, tourism, education, hydropower, and agribusiness, positioning the country as an emerging player in South Asia.

The event combined ancient wisdom with modern development, facilitating discussions among senior leaders and exploring new investment opportunities. Establishing the stars Nepal alumni Chapter was a primary goal, aiming to strengthen Nepal's international relations and enhance the presence of the global alumni network within the country, according to the statement issued by stars Nepal alumni.

Participants enjoyed a rich cultural exploration, visiting iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Swayambhu Stupa, Bouddhanath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Patan Durbar, which underscored Nepal's historical and spiritual heritage. They also visited Shyalpa Monastery for a serene spiritual session emphasizing compassion and inner peace. The program included interactions with local communities and an experience of traditional Nepali cuisine, it added.

The formal program featured insightful panel discussions. The first panel, 'Envisioning Nepal 2030,' moderated by Anil Chitrakar, included distinguished speakers such as Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa, Vice Chancellor of Kathmandu University; Gyanendra Lal Pradhan, a hydropower promoter; Anchal Kunwar, CEO of Daraz; and Mani Raj Lamichhane, Director of the Nepal Tourism Board; held at Radisson Hotel, this panel addressed the country's future growth across diverse sectors.

A second panel, 'Navigating Business in Nepal,' moderated by Dr. Manohar Bhattarai, featured industry leaders including

Subash Sharma, CEO of F1Soft; Bhawani Rana, former President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI); and Anil Kesari Shah, a former banker. With an opening address by Hari Bhakta Sharma, former President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industry (CNI). The session held at Ramada Hotel provided critical insights into investment risks and opportunities in Nepal's business landscape.

Another significant session, 'Nepal's Growing Ambitions for Position in South Asia and Emerging Global Geopolitical Landscapes,' took place at Radisson Hotel and featured notable speakers such as Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board; Matthias Meier, Charge de Affairs at the Swiss Embassy; Thomas Millar, Deputy Head of Mission at the European Union; Jason P. Meeks, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy; and Rob Fenn, Ambassador of the British Embassy. The event also included a captivating cultural performance and orchestra by students from Kathmandu Pragya Kunja School, with remarks from Sewa Lamsal, Foreign Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as Chief Guest. Dr. Toni Schoenenberger, President, assured the audience that stars team will bring the strengths of Nepal to their network. Kapil Dev Regmi, President, stars Alumni Nepal shared the welcoming culture of Nepali mentioning the immense possibilities of global partnership.

'The tour culminated in the inauguration of the stars Nepal alumni Chapter at Kathmandu Durbar Square, solidifying the foundation's commitment to fostering local and international partnerships. This closing event included remarks from several alumni regarding the future role of the Nepal Chapter and a speech by Dr. Toni Schoenenberger, Executive Chairman of the stars Foundation, who emphasized the importance of Nepal's cultural richness and growth ambitions. Diptee Acharya shared her learning experiences at stars Switzerland and hoped that Nepal could be ready for the symposium in the future. Being the official establishment of stars Alumni in Nepal and taking the role of President, Kapil Dev Regmi committed to widen the stars network to a larger level.'

The evening concluded with a special dinner hosted by the Swiss Embassy at Vivanta Hotel, offering further opportunities for discussions on Nepal's global aspirations.

The stars Nepal alumni Study Tour 2024 was made possible through the generous support of sponsors including F1Soft, Fonepay, eSewa, IEC College of Arts and Fashion, Guru Travels, Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Swiss Chamber of Commerce, American Chamber of Commerce in Nepal, the Embassy of Switzerland and The Great Nepali Diaspora. It was facilitated by Engineers Without Borders Nepal. Their contributions were invaluable to the event's success, according to the organizer.

The stars Foundation connects global leaders across sectors to advance sustainable development, empowering alumni to make meaningful impacts worldwide. The successful conclusion of the stars Nepal alumni Study Tour marks a significant step forward in strengthening Nepal's global connections and enhancing its role as a pivotal player in South Asia.