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Young writer Mani Niraula has been awarded the ‘Yog-Hari Poudel Memorial New Creator Talent Award 2025,’ presented by Nawa Sarjak Sahitya Chautari Nepal, Hetauda. The award was conferred during the ‘Second National New Creator Festival and First Central Convention 2025’ in Hetauda, recognizing Niraula as the provincial talent awardee from Koshi.  

Former Chief Minister of Bagmati Province, Dormani Poudel, and award founder, literary figure Prabha Poudel, honored Niraula with a ceremonial scarf, cash prize, and certificate. The Chautari stated that Niraula received the award for showcasing remarkable literary talent at a young age through his published works.  

Prabha Poudel established the award in memory of her grandparents.  

During the event, emerging writers from all seven provinces were honored in various literary categories. Additionally, veteran writer Dr Chudamani Bandhu was presented with the ‘Loknath Neupane Memorial Children’s Literature Award 2081.’  

Niraula made his literary debut with the poetry collection ‘Pahilo Paila’ in 2077 BS and recently released his second book, the novel ‘Gupta Prem’.

Pearson has opened a new Pearson VUE Test Centre Select (PVTC Select) in Chitwan, expanding access to the Pearson Test of English (PTE) in Nepal. The move aims to support aspiring students and professionals seeking international education and employment opportunities, says the institution. “The newly launched 10-seat testing facility, operated by ACE Testing Hub, is equipped with enhanced identity verification and surveillance technology, ensuring a secure and reliable testing experience. PVTC Selects operate in over 100 countries, providing standardized testing services worldwide.”

Nepal has a growing demand for international education, with 19 percent of its tertiary-level students studying abroad in 2021. In the fiscal year 2023/24 alone, over 112,000 Nepali students obtained No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to pursue education in 66 countries, including Japan, Canada, Australia, the UK, and the USA. Additionally, approximately 494,000 Nepali citizens migrated abroad for employment in 2023.

“The new Pearson VUE Test Centre Select in Chitwan represents our commitment to enhancing connectivity and support for test-takers in Nepal,” said Prabhul Ravindran, Regional Director, South Asia, English Language Learning, Pearson. “This expansion aligns with our mission to provide accessible and reliable testing services to meet the growing needs of the Nepali community.”vPearson aims to strengthen its presence as a leading English assessment provider in Nepal. “We are proud to extend our world-class test centres to offer a convenient and secure PTE testing experience,” said Gary Gates, Managing Director, Pearson VUE. “Our goal is to support more aspiring candidates in achieving their academic and professional ambitions.”

PTE is recognized by over 3,500 global universities and the governments of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK for visa applications. It is also accepted by leading professional organizations in fields such as nursing, accounting, and engineering. Test-takers can use their PTE results to apply for prestigious scholarships, including the Australian government’s Australia Awards, New Zealand’s Secondary School Scholarships (NZSS), the UK’s Chevening Scholarships, and the Fulbright Scholarships in the US.  

“With more than 475 secure test centres worldwide, PTE delivers results within 48 hours, utilizing AI-driven assessment technology for fairness and accuracy. Last year, over 1m test-takers relied on PTE to advance their education and career prospects globally,” as per the institution. 

The first national conference of vice-chairs from local youth councils across Nepal has concluded with a seven-point memorandum advocating for a multi-stakeholder approach to youth empowerment and meaningful participation in decision-making processes. Jointly organized by the Government of Nepal, the National Youth Council, and Yuwalaya, the three-day conference brought together executive vice-chairs from 30 formally established local youth councils.

According to the National Youth Policy 2015, individuals aged 16 to 40 years are classified as youth, making up 42.56 percent of Nepal’s total population, or approximately 12.4m people. The memorandum calls for the establishment and effective operation of youth councils in all 753 local levels, ensuring inclusivity, leveraging demographic dividends, and providing free access to technical and vocational education. It also urges local, provincial, and federal governments, along with national and international stakeholders, to prioritize youth empowerment.

A key demand highlighted in the memorandum is ensuring youth representation in government bodies. It calls for mandatory 40 percent youth participation in committee structures of all political parties and the allocation of youth-targeted budgets and programs to enhance participation at the local level. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for research-based studies to develop and implement effective youth programs.

Dharma Raj Rimal, President of Yuwalaya, emphasized the importance of youth-centric policy-making and implementation. “This conference has made a multi-stakeholder call to prioritize youth voices in policies and programs,” he stated. 

The UK Government and the British Embassy in Kathmandu hosted the UK-Nepal Business Forum on Tuesday in collaboration with the Government of Nepal, the British Council, and the Nepal-Britain Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event aimed to strengthen the UK-Nepal economic partnership, enhance trade and investment opportunities, promote inclusive economic development, and expand business-to-business connections.

The program covered topics such as ‘Unpacking Nepal: Market Opportunities for UK Businesses,’ ‘Business Economic Environment for Growth,’ ‘The Benefits of Transnational Education: Opportunities for Nepal,’ and ‘Showcasing the UK’s Export Excellence: Opportunities for Nepal’s Priority Sectors.’

The event featured four panel discussions with Nepali policymakers, private sector leaders, development partners, the diaspora, and thought leaders. Notable attendees included Sushil Gyewali, CEO of the Investment Board of Nepal; Habib Yousuf, Regional Director at British International Investment (UK); Bhawani Rana, Former President of FNCCI; Petra Lenihan, Head of Team South Asia at the Department for Business and Trade (UK); and other experts.

Rob Fenn, the British Ambassador to Nepal, stated, “This facility from British International Investment reflects the UK’s commitment to sustainable economic development in Nepal, benefiting households and businesses throughout the region.”

The session on ‘The Benefits of Transnational Education (TNE): Opportunities for Nepal’ was moderated by Sandeepa Sahay, with panelists Rejina Maskey, Richard Keogh, Shannon Stowers, and Samir Thapa. This session explored the current landscape of higher education in Nepal, including TNE, highlighted opportunities for growth, and identified key areas for quality assurance to enhance educational outcomes.

During the discussion, the panel addressed how TNE could reduce brain drain and foster innovation in Nepal. 

Thapa, Chairperson and Founder Principal of Silver Mountain School of Hotel Management, emphasized, “There is no compromise on the quality of education, as we strive to maintain the same standards offered by universities abroad. Our directive is clear: until we obtain Quality Assurance Accreditation (QAA) from the respective country where the university is based, we are not authorized to run any programs or grant approvals.”

Keogh, Deputy Vice-chancellor at the University of Roehampton, said, “We are committed to reversing the brain drain, which is often linked to limited job opportunities post-graduation. One of our key initiatives is to provide professional experience alongside a strong academic curriculum and extracurricular activities. We invite industry professionals as guest speakers to engage with students and bridge the gap between education and employment.”

He added, “Additionally, we recognize the growing global trend where high-level skilled jobs no longer always require a master’s degree. There are increasing opportunities in sub-degree qualifications, allowing graduates to enter the workforce with specialized skills sooner.”

Stowers, Head of International Policy and Engagement at QAA (UK), stated, “This program focuses on exploring various TNE provisions across different countries, examining active practices, and identifying areas for enhancement. It offers valuable insights and learnings from a diverse range of universities worldwide, ensuring that the programs delivered remain relevant and impactful.”