In 1997, Shailaja Adhikary, founded the fashion and interior design education institution, IEC. In 2007, she started Euro Kids, an international preschool chain, in Nepal. The 47-year-old is currently the CEO of IEC Group and the principal of Euro School. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Business Administration from the Golden Gate University in the US. Adhikary believes in competing with oneself rather than comparing oneself to others. Babita Shrestha from ApEx spoke to Adhikary to find out how she aims to provide quality education through her many ventures.
What strategies do you implement to uphold high academic standards at the institutions under IEC?
At Euro School, we’re pretty forward-thinking as we follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. This means our teaching and learning methods are fun and easy to grasp. Our classrooms have a friendly environment and we like to mix things up with unconventional teaching methods rather than sticking to the same old traditional ways. We focus on our students’ needs and interests, teaching them in creative ways. We give personalized attention, support, and environment to each learner based on their abilities and capacities. We aim to encourage them to explore, develop skills, and foster a love for learning that will stay with them for life. As for our college, our teaching methods and assessments are also different. We adapt to what the students want and what they’re capable of, making sure to meet their demands and interests.
How do you work on curriculum development to ensure an effective educational program?
At Euro Kids, we’ve got some top-notch educators from places like Harvard and other renowned institutions. Our research and development team comes up with a curriculum that’s unique and meets international standards. We provide training for educators to handle this international curriculum. As for IEC under Limkokwing University, their curriculum is top-notch as they always upgrade it to meet industry needs. It’s not just about giving us the curriculum but also offering training to help our educators and teachers grow both professionally and personally.
What should be done to support and enhance teachers’ professional development?
We care about our teachers’ emotions so we have a social-psycho counselor to support them. We believe teachers need to be emotionally strong to handle students so we’ve got a whole department for that at our schools. Also, we bring in international trainers and experts to train our teachers and mentors. This happens regularly at Euro School and we do the same with workshops for IEC too. It’s all about making sure our teachers are supported and keep growing.
What do you do to thrive in the competitive landscape of the fashion education industry?
Fashion and interior design are growing fast in Nepal and I always keep an eye on what others are doing. I won’t fall into the trap of assuming I’m the best. Instead, I want to learn from others and bring some really good ideas to the table. Our teachers get good training from international experts. We’re always updating our curriculum to match what the industry needs. Whether in Nepal or the global scene, we’re forward-thinking and we aim to make our students ready for anything.
Are there specific ways to facilitate students’ access to internships and real-world experiences?
At Euro School, once the students finish SEE, I always suggest they do an internship. Many of them end up joining their parents’ businesses, but we push them to explore other job opportunities during their three-month break. Because I’m invested in entrepreneurship, I try to get my students excited about learning those skills as well.
At IEC, I ensure every student does an internship after each semester. Right from the first semester, I encourage the students to start from the basics. I want them to learn and gain experience in a social setting. I want them to find their internship placements. This helps them develop good research skills and become independent. I want them to showcase their capabilities using the knowledge and skills they’ve acquired. We review their work and they’re required to present what they’ve learned during their internship. It’s not just about teaching them. We also guide them to become professionals.
How do you plan to integrate technology into teaching and learning practices?
At Euro School, even our first graders are getting into coding and programming. Students are working with drones and visual effects. Technology is an important tool for learning nowadays. At IEC, every assignment and assessment happens digitally. Digital work is just a regular part of the curriculum. In the first semester, students use sketch paper but by the second semester, we assign them digital designing.
What plans do you have to assess, adapt, and improve the educational programs?
Education is a lifelong journey. We have to keep learning and upgrading ourselves every step of the way. My goal is to turn my students into global citizens who can thrive in any environment and handle the many complexities of the workplace. While their academic success is important, what matters most to me is that they become good people and responsible citizens. As an educator, I encourage them to explore the world and learn wherever they go, but I also urge them to return and give back to their community and country. In the future, I dream of starting a university in Nepal, where I can use the skills I’ve been teaching students to contribute to the country’s resources. I also want to attract international students to Nepal by offering a progressive academic approach. It’s all part of my vision to promote education in Nepal.
