Subodh Foundation UK Awards Top Engineering Students at Pulchowk Campus

Kathmandu – UK-based philanthropic organisation, Subodh Foundation UK, has awarded cash prizes and certificates to top-performing students from the Institute of Engineering (IOE), Pulchowk, under Tribhuvan University, in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements.

At a special ceremony held on Wednesday at the Department of Architecture, IOE, the British Ambassador to Nepal, Rob Fenn, presented the awards and certificates to the high-achieving students.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Fenn stated that investment in education and human capital lays the foundation for economic development. He emphasised the direct link between education and the economy and remarked that even though educated Nepalese often go abroad, many return to contribute meaningfully to their communities and society.

He described Gurkha soldiers as a historic link between Nepal and the UK, adding that today the relationship has significantly expanded at the people-to-people level. The ambassador highlighted the unique blend of theory and practice in engineering education and reaffirmed the British Government’s willingness to support the development of technical education in Nepal. He also commended Subodh Foundation UK for supporting and recognising talented Nepali students.

Speaking at the second edition of the award ceremony, Prof. Dr Sushil Bahadur Bajracharya, Dean of IOE Pulchowk, expressed gratitude to Subodh Foundation UK, stating that the award has boosted student morale.

Dr Sanjay Uprety, Campus Chief of Pulchowk Campus, noted that despite limited resources, the campus has continued to deliver quality education across various disciplines. He also emphasised the global shift towards student-centred education and the need for Nepal to move away from a teacher-centred model.

He remarked that Nepal’s future depends on its youth and stressed that it is the younger generation who will drive change in the country.

Also speaking at the event, Er. Subodh Timilsina, Chair of Subodh Foundation UK, said he was extremely pleased to support the outstanding students of the very institution where he studied at certificate level 45 years ago. He shared that the Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Brunel University, aiming to support top-performing students in pursuing master’s and PhD-level research studies in the UK. 

Timilsina, who is also the President of the Society of Nepalese Engineers UK, encouraged the students to work hard and strive for excellence in their respective fields.

At the event, Ambassador Fenn, Dean Prof. Dr Bajracharya, Campus Chief Dr Uprety, and Eng. Timilsina jointly presented cash prizes and certificates to Prabal Dahal, Prasiddhi Hamal, and Swastina Ranjit for the best thesis and highest scores at the master’s level, and to Kripa Timilsina, Rashmi Gautam, Ashish BK, among others, for their achievements at the bachelor’s level.

Additionally, Chair Timilsina presented tokens of appreciation to Ambassador Fenn, Dean Bajracharya, Campus Chief Uprety, and other professors.

The event was welcomed by Prof. Dr Asim Ratna Bajracharya, Head of the Department of Architecture, and concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Inu Pradhan Palikhe, Deputy Head of the same department.