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With the global job market evolving rapidly, international education has become essential for career success. Recognizing this trend, Study Group has expanded its support systems to help Nepali students navigate higher education abroad. During a media briefing in Kathmandu, Study Group CEO Ian Crichton highlighted the increasing number of Nepali students enrolling in UK universities. “Nepali students have long sought opportunities abroad, driven by academic and career aspirations,” he said.   With over 25 years of experience and partnerships with more than 50 universities worldwide, it connects students with top institutions. Its recent collaboration with the University of Huddersfield has led to a new campus in London, offering students quality education and access to the city’s job market.  

It also provides foundation programs to bridge academic and cultural gaps, focusing on fields like AI, robotics, and healthcare. To support affordability, it offers scholarships and tuition discounts, while UK policies allow students to work part-time. By working with educators and media in Nepal, it aims to guide students in university selection and career planning, ensuring they succeed internationally and contribute to Nepal’s development.

When I boarded the bus for a college field trip to Pancha Kanya Secondary School in Dakshinkali Municipality-8, Chyamalle, I had only a vague idea of what to expect. 

Arriving at Pancha Kanya Secondary School, I was immediately struck by the sweet, lovely atmosphere that enveloped the place. Dozens of curious eyes peeked from the schoolyard as our group approached. The children greeted us with shy smiles and polite bows, their innocence shining through every glance. All of them were Tamang children, and many wore simple, tidy school uniforms with pride. Their giggles and whispers created a melody of youthful energy. At that moment, I could sense a genuine warmth and a close-knit community spirit—everyone seemed to know each other like family.

My friend Semona Bhattarai and I had volunteered to conduct a special session for the sixth graders. We stepped into the Grade 6 classroom, greeted by 16 eager faces (six girls and 10 boys, all around 11 or 12 years old). Some children murmured “Namaste” while pressing their palms together, and we returned the greeting warmly.

We had a little free time to just talk with the students. They crowded around us in the courtyard, eager to share their names, their hobbies, and bits of their lives. There was a contagious excitement in the air as the kids realized we genuinely wanted to hear from them. Despite our linguistic differences, we managed to communicate through simple Nepali, a few Tamang words I picked up, and a lot of hand gestures and laughter. In those casual chats, I learned so much more than I expected from these young minds.

One of the most memorable parts of our conversation was when I asked a group of children what they dreamed of becoming when they grew up. Their answers were simple, honest, and beautiful. One boy piped up that he wanted to become a driver like his father, steering big buses or trucks on the mountain roads. Another shy girl mentioned she hoped to operate a dozer (bulldozer) because she had seen one clearing a landslide once and it impressed her. A couple of boys proudly said they wanted to join the army to serve the country and protect their village. 

These weren’t the typical answers I’d hear from city kids, who often talk about being doctors or engineers or pilots. Instead, each child’s dream reflected the life and the heroes they saw in their own community. Their ambitions, though thumble, shone with sincerity and practicality.

Hearing these dreams made me reflect on my own upbringing and aspirations. As an urban college student, I realized I had grown up with so many privileges I took for granted- english- medium schools, computer labs, and endless options for my future. Here were kids whose ambitions were shaped by the immediate world around them, and they were no less  passionate about their goals.

It was an eye-opening moment for me. I recognized that the reality of Nepal lies beyond the bubble of my city life. The majority of Nepal’s population lives in communities like this Tamang village, where resources are limited, lifestyles are simple, and dreams are woven from daily life and family traditions. That afternoon, these children gave me a precious gift: a genuine glimpse into the heart of my country that I had never truly seen before. 

As our time at Pancha Kanya Secondary School came to an end, the entire Grade 6 class gathered to bid us farewell. The students presented us with small tokens of appreciation—some had picked wildflowers from the hillside, and a few had drawn little goodbye cards with pencil sketches of smiling faces. I even got a tight goodbye hug from the once-shy boy who had asked me for a hug earlier.

My heart felt full and ached a little at the same time; I was touched by their gesture and sad to part ways. On the bus ride back to the city, I sat by the window, quietly replaying the day’s events in my mind. The mountains slowly gave way to clusters of buildings, but I knew I was not the same person who had left that morning. This field trip had quietly transformed me.

Prashansa Sharma

BA, Thames International College 

In the face of global trade uncertainties, Nepal must proactively adapt to geopolitical shifts while diversifying its economic partnerships. Strengthening regional ties, investing in domestic industries, leveraging supply chain shifts, and prioritizing digital transformation will be key to sustaining economic growth and reducing external dependencies. A well-calibrated trade strategy, backed by strong governance and infrastructure development, can enable Nepal to navigate the evolving global trade landscape with confidence.

Adapting to geopolitical realities

Nepal should reduce dependence on major powers like the US and China by expanding trade partnerships within South Asia and beyond. Strengthening economic ties with regional and interregional platforms such as BBIN, SAARC, BIMSTEC, ASEAN, IORA, and the African Union can provide alternative markets and enhance economic resilience. Additionally, closer engagement with EU agencies and Middle Eastern economies can help diversify Nepal’s trade and investment sources.

However, deepening foreign trade relations demands strong governance and accountability. Nepal must implement stricter scrutiny on foreign aid to ensure effective fund utilization, while also building trust with international donors.

Overcoming institutional challenges

A major roadblock to regional trade integration is bureaucratic inertia and political unwillingness to implement complex initiatives. Keay challenges include:

• Limited political commitment to advancing regional economic cooperation.
• Under-resourced institutions that lack the capacity to negotiate and implement effective trade policies.
• A shortage of skilled professionals with expertise in international trade and economics.

To overcome these obstacles, Nepal must prioritize institutional reforms and invest in building a capable workforce equipped to navigate the intricacies of global trade.

Solution: Invest in human capital

Nepal must empower its workforce with skills in IT, AI, and fintech to make the economy more adaptable to global shifts. Skilled labor will be a critical factor in leveraging the ongoing supply chain shifts from China to South Asia, where Nepal can benefit through IT outsourcing and low-cost manufacturing.

Diversification and self-sufficiency

To strengthen its economic base, Nepal must focus on domestic revenue generation. Key strategies include:

• Taxation reforms to enhance revenue collection and reduce reliance on foreign aid.
• Industrial growth and public-private partnerships (PPPs) to boost productivity and innovation.
• Regulatory simplification to eliminate bureaucratic red tape and foster a business-friendly environment.
• Digitization of trade and business processes to minimize corruption and improve efficiency.

Strengthening domestic industries

Nepal must reduce reliance on imports by fostering growth in agriculture, manufacturing, and services. Instead of exporting raw materials, Nepal should develop processing and manufacturing capabilities to create value-added products. Agro-based, herbal, natural fiber, and bamboo industries hold significant potential to generate employment and exports.

FDI and trade policy reforms

To attract FDI, Nepal should offer incentives in manufacturing, energy, and technology sectors. Simultaneously, tracking global trade policies—especially tariffs imposed by the US on China, the EU, and India—can help Nepal identify trade opportunities and capitalize on shifting market dynamics. Key considerations include:

• Analyzing how global firms and markets are adjusting to US tariffs and leveraging these shifts to Nepal’s advantage.
• Assessing the impact of rising consumer costs in the US and negotiating preferential market access for Nepali products.
• Capitalizing on the supply chain shift from China, which is expected to redirect five percent of global production to South Asia. Nepal can position itself as a hub for IT services and cost-effective manufacturing, provided it reforms labor laws to ensure fair wages and job security.
• Rather than pursuing retaliatory trade measures, Nepal should adopt a strategic diplomatic approach, negotiating preferential market access while quietly building trade capabilities.

Infrastructure and trade facilitation

The government must focus on policy reforms, trade facilitation, and accreditation to ensure that Nepali products meet international standards. Key infrastructure investments include:

• Developing transshipment ports to enhance access to international markets.
• Strengthening logistics and port-road connectivity to reduce trade bottlenecks.
• Enhancing trade-related services to streamline export and import processes.

Nepal must also maximize economic diplomacy by leveraging the Hub and Spoke Mission approach. Appointing trade specialists and improving foreign policy foresight and scenario planning within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can strengthen Nepal’s position in international trade negotiations.

Conclusion

Given the shifting geopolitical landscape and evolving US trade policies, Nepal must tread carefully to safeguard its trade interests. The US’s increasing reliance on tariffs and sanctions as economic tools, along with rising tensions between major global economies, calls for a strategic and diversified approach in Nepal’s trade policies. To strengthen resilience, Nepal must focus on regional cooperation, trade diversification, and digital transformation while ensuring robust governance and policy reforms.

The majestic Himalayas of Nepal are not only celebrated for its breathtakingly beautiful landscapes and rich cultural heritage. It has also led to the creation of one of the world’s rarest and most expensive honeys, known as “Mad Honey.” This unique honey, its medicinal properties, holds a special place in history. Today, it is gradually attracting global markets with its charm and value.

Mad Honey: A Hidden Treasure of Nepal

Cliff Honey, Mad Honey, Bhir Maha, Red Honey, Himalayan Honey—this unique honey is known by many names. It is collected from the steep Himalayan cliffs by the Gurung honey-hunting communities.

Everything about this honey is impeccable: it is produced by the Himalayan giant honeybee (Apis laboriosa), the largest honey bee species in the world. The honey-hunting process itself is a unique and daring tradition that demands exceptional skill, precision, and abundance of courage.

At first glance, the ridiculously high price of mad honey might seem indignant and unreasonable for a small jar. However, as the honey-hunting process unveils, it becomes clear why it demands such a high value.

Honey hunting is not a walk in the garden, it is far from an easy task. Men dangle in the air, between the cliffs, costing their lives, all just to harvest a precious honey. Their efforts serve two purposes: sustaining their livelihood and honouring an ancestral art. In many ways, the art of honey hunting retains their identity, each time they set out on a hunt.

Another factor that sets mad honey apart is the unique compound found within it. While it contains all the nutrients present in regular honey, often with amplified benefits. But what steals the spotlight is the presence of grayanotoxin.

Grayanotoxin is often unfairly misunderstood as a dangerous compound that can jeopardise one's mental and physical state. However, what many don't know is that when consumed in the right amounts, people around the world are fully enjoying the psychoactive and medicinal properties of mad honey.

Though it's still only a small fraction of the global population aware of its benefits, word is slowly spreading about its extraordinary properties.

The tales you hear about the Gurung's and their courage are fascinating. They grew up by  consuming mad honey for generations to treat ailments such as hypertension, arthritis, and anxiety. Its grayanotoxin content also contributes to making it one of the rarest honeys in the world.

Bringing Mad Honey to the World

Among the brands bringing this rare treasure to the world, Medicinal Mad Honey has emerged as a leader. With a strong commitment to authenticity, sustainability, and ethical sourcing, the brand has not only elevated the status of Mad Honey but also supported the livelihoods of over 80 honey-hunting communities in regions like Lamjung, Jajarkot, and Rukum.

“Our mission is to introduce the world to the wonders of Mad Honey while preserving the traditional practices and environment of Nepal,” says Rashmi Kandel, the founder of Medicinal Mad Honey.  At just 18 years old, Rashmi founded Medicinal Mad Honey, a brand that honours the cultural roots of this rare product while bringing it to global markets.

She came across the mad honey in her hometown, Lamjung only to find it in an unutilized form. Just as honey hunters pay respect to their ancestors by following their path, she hoped to pave a way for her people to the world by showcasing the potential of a Nepalese product like mad honey.

After further looking into it, she found a great market potential for this product. Finally, she came with an idea to bridge the gap between the production and the demand to create economic values.

Ethical and Sustainable Practices

Medicinal Mad Honey stands apart for its commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing. Harvesting is conducted responsibly, without compromising the prosperity of the Himalayan giantbees and the fragile ecosystem they reside in.

The brand also invests in community development, offering resources and training for honey hunters. These efforts not only preserve their traditional way of life but also provide them with economic stability.

Global Appeal

Presently, mad honey is a sought-after product in luxury markets across the US, Europe, and the Middle East. Its rarity, combined with the wellness benefits it promises from sustainable origins, resonates with the growing demand for premium, ethically sourced products.

The new world today looks past the product itself, valuing the principles and values it represents. If a product aligns with their values, it gains appeal. There is a growing fascination with organic, cruelty-free products that offer not only unparalleled quality but also ethical integrity.

We are living in a world where a growing number of people are more mindful and selective about what they embrace into their lives.

Beyond honey, Nepal’s hidden treasures like Yarsagumba (caterpillar fungus), Shilajit, rare herbs, and essential oils also carry the essence of the Himalayas and have immense potential in global markets.

A Tribute to Nepal’s Products

This effort to promote mad honey is also a homage to the honey hunters of the past, present, and future. Just as these communities honour their ancestors, the initiative aims to honour them by bringing their craft to the global stage.

Rashmi’s dedication goes beyond mad honey, embracing Nepal’s other natural wonders. This includes its sister brand, Everest Shilajit, a product that speaks volumes of its purity and power of the Himalayas. Her journey is not limited to honey; it is committed to exploring and promoting exceptional products from Nepal, each with its own story and a promise to deliver the best of nature.

A Future of Sustainable Luxury

With innovative entrepreneurs leading the way, Nepal is emerging as a hub for sustainable luxury. Products like Mad Honey redefine luxury as not merely an indulgence but a conscious connection to health, nature and moral and ethical values.

In every golden drop of Mad Honey a reminder that the rarest treasures are those deeply rooted in authenticity and sustainability.

(Rashmi is Founder and Author at Medicinal Mad Honey & Global Export Specialist)

Email- [email protected]

Visit: https://medicinalmadhoney.com/