Kathmandu. Skill Week 2025 ended with a splendid closing ceremony amidst a remarkable gathering held at The Soaltee Kathmandu on Monday, in the presence of renowned entrepreneurs, government diplomats, and 100+ aspirant enthusiasts. This was the sixth edition of Skill Week organized by Glocal After School, an entity of Glocal Pvt Ltd with an aim to collaborate with Industry, Educators, and Government to engage and promote extensive skilling opportunities and showcase emerging skills. The ceremony had the presence of Honorable Sharat Singh Bhandari, Minister of Labour, Employment, and Social Security as its chief guest.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Security Sharat Singh Bhandari said, “We have to find ways to connect skills and employment. Our youth are migrating abroad, but why? There are many approaches to this. For some it is social status, for some it is a compulsion and for some it is a search for good opportunities. Whatever the reason, we must create employment opportunities in our country. Employment opportunities should be identified in various sectors. And, the most important thing is that people from every level and section of society should learn to respect labor.”
Skill Week is a week filled with events, creativity, skills, inspirations, and insights. This year the week earmarked for conducting workshops related to diverse skills, skill-focused competitions, skill shows and exhibitions, the learning hub, and sessions along with several entertainment components making this an infotainment week honoring skill. The sixth edition of skill week was held from 6th January to 13th January, and different experts from these fields were invited to impart their knowledge to the curious youth.
Skill Week comprised of a series of Workshops, Competitions, Exhibitions, Job & Career Fair, Food and Games, Case Study Presentation, Music, and Concerts along with Fun elements. It was basically exploring the world of Skills along with a fun fiesta. The event highlighted four distinct skill areas i.e. Art and Culture, Entrepreneurship, Tourism and Hospitality & Science and Technology. Therefore, four veterans were honored with Skill Hero Award by Glocal After School today amidst the closing ceremony of Skill Week.
For the first pillar i.e. Art & Culture, Mr. Sushant KC, who is a Nepali singer and songwriter known for his soulful music and meaningful lyrics was awarded. Sushant KC is one of Nepal’s most celebrated contemporary musicians, known for his heartfelt lyrics and soothing melodies. His music often blends Nepali and Western influences, resonating deeply with both local and global audiences. Sushant’s songs often reflect personal experiences, love, heartbreak, and emotional connections. His ability to tell stories through music has endeared him to fans worldwide. His track “Aama”, dedicated to mothers, struck a particularly emotional chord and remains one of his most iconic works.
Likewise, Ms. Aayushi KC, a Nepali social entrepreneur and the Founder and CEO of Khaali Sisi Management Pvt. Ltd., was awarded as Skill Hero in the category Entrepreneurship. Khaali Sisi connects waste sellers with a network of over 13,000 waste entrepreneurs, known as “Khaali Sisi Friends,” facilitating efficient recycling and waste management in Nepal. In 2018, she was named in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list in the Social Entrepreneurs category. She is also a member of the Asia Society’s Class of 2019, acknowledging her contributions to social entrepreneurship in the region.
In addition to this, for the category – Tourism & Hospitality, Mr. Samir Thapa who is the Founder and principal of Silver Mountain School of Hotel Management (SMSH) was awarded. Samir Thapa, is regarded as a pioneer in bringing world-class hospitality services and education to Nepal. With extensive experience in the hospitality sector, he established SMSH in 2001 to address the critical shortage of qualified professionals in the field. His entrepreneurial journey is marked by several firsts, including launching Nepal’s first private hotel management school and introducing the country’s first international fast-food franchise, Wimpy. His early career at Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu, exposed him to the industry’s skill gap, fueling his mission to create SMSH. Despite challenges, SMSH has become a leading institution, affiliated with Queen Margaret University, UK, offering programs in hospitality and culinary arts. Thapa’s dedication continues to shape Nepal’s hospitality landscape, inspiring future leaders and driving economic growth.
Also, in the category Science & Technology, Mr. Sanu Kaji Shrestha was awarded. He has always been driven by a curious and innovative mind, inspired by the question, “What will happen if I do this?” (यसो गरेकसो होला?). From a young age, he demonstrated a creative spirit, crafting practical inventions such as a flexible fan from bamboo strips to combat hot weather. Born into a humble background, he began working in logistics at the age of 18, gaining diverse experiences across government offices, diplomatic missions, corporations, and the UNDP. In 1981, he joined the World Bank Country Office, where he served until his retirement in 2001. Shortly after, he pursued advanced research opportunities, joining the Folkecenter for Renewable Energy in Denmark and interning at the Care Cole Sustainable Living Center in Arizona, USA, refining his expertise in sustainable technologies. In 2002, with the support of like-minded individuals, he established the Foundation for Sustainable Technologies, dedicated to advancing eco-friendly innovations for better livelihoods. His impactful work earned him prestigious recognitions, including the World Challenge Runner-Up Award in 2007, the PCIA Award from the US-EPA in 2009, the National Award from NAST in 2010, and the Renewable Energy Award from the Government of Nepal in 2014. To date, his journey has taken him to over 24 countries, where he continues to share his passion for sustainable development and technological innovation.
Keeping up with the legacy of welcoming the country’s most influential CEOs/entrepreneurs to inspire the enthusiastic entrepreneurial minds of the country, Glocal Pvt. Ltd. has successfully concluded the tenth edition of ‘CEO Unplugged’ in 2025 on the same day at The Soaltee Kathmandu. With the main theme of ‘Today Meets Tomorrow’, Her Excellency Veronique Lorenzo, Ambassador of the European Union to Nepal; Mr. Saurabh Jyoti, Director of Padma Jyoti Group; and Mr. Dumbar Sunwar, Under Secretary and Ministry of Labour, Employment & Social Security, Government of Nepal & Chief of Skills & Training Division marked their presence as the panelists on this year’s CEO Unplugged. The discussion was moderated by Prof. Stephen Driver, Principal of Embark College and Pro Vice Chancellor of University of Roehampton, UK. More than 100 aspirants participated in this event to network, learn, and share their notions with the prominent entrepreneurs of the country. The panel discussion was titled Sustainable Future: Skills, Education and Green Economy. The panel explored the pivotal role of skills development and education in shaping a sustainable future. The panel discussed about the strategies to incorporate sustainability into workplace practices seamlessly, prepare workers for green jobs, and build synergistic partnerships between academic institutions, private sectors, developmental sectors, and industries to bridge prevailing skill gaps.
We are glad to announce the collaboration of Skill Week empowered by Embark College; endorsed by CNI and Nepal Chamber of Commerce; promoted by Nepal Tourism Board; European Union, Embassy of India, Australian Embassy as Strategic Partner; Honda, Coca- Cola, WWF, CG Motors as Partners; UNDP, UK Skills Partnership as Technical Collaboration; The Soaltee Kathmandu as Official Hotel Partner; Worldlink as Internet Partner; Yeti Airlines as Airlines Partner; NNQ as Outreach Partner.
