Valley
Fair catching fancy of visiting students
The second day of The Kathmandu Post Career Edufair saw a large number of visitors compared to the inaugural day, as students aspiring for higher studies thronged to various stalls in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu on Saturday.The second day of The Kathmandu Post Career Edufair saw a large number of visitors compared to the inaugural day, as students aspiring for higher studies thronged to various stalls in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu on Saturday.
Thousands of fresh plus two graduates were seen enquiring about courses and colleges at various stall of domestic and international universities at the fair. Many students were accompanied by their parents and friends.
One of them was Natsuko Singh, a student from Golden Gate College, Batisputali who came to the Edufair with her friend. According to Singh, she came to the fair to find whether India’s National Institute of Fashion Technology, where ace fashion designer Prabal Gurung had studied, has a stall in the edufair. “As I am planning to pursue a course in fashion designing in India. Visiting the edufair makes a lot of sense to me” said Singh.
Fair organisers said more “genuine” students are visiting the fair this time. “While we used to have larger crowds in previous years, they only came for the sake of visit. This time around, more students who are serious about their higher studies and career are coming to the fair. This has also enabled us to provide better career guidance to them,” said Udayakant Jha, chief academic director, Lord Buddha Education Foundation.
The main attraction on Saturday was, however, a motivational speech by Magsaysay Award winner Mahabir Pun. During his session, Pun shared his life struggle, how he returned to Nepal to serve for the betterment people in Myagdi district. Addressing a packed audience, Pun urged all the students to return home after completing their higher studies and gaining skills from abroad.
Proprietor of Bajeko Sekuwa Chetan Bhandari, one of leading home-grown restaurant chains, shared his experience of making the eatery a leading brand.
He also gave tips to students on how to be a successful entrepreneur.
Both the sessions were enriching one for the visiting plus two graduates. “Along with career counselling, I got the chance to listen to Mahabir Pun who gave an inspirational speech. The success story of Chetan Bhandari has inspired me to work hard in achieving my goal,” said Sabita Dhital, a plus two graduate from Jhapa, who was in Kathmandu to apply for higher studies.
The three-day fair features 130 stalls and 13 pavilions of more than 80 colleges from Nepal, 50 from India, seven each from Bangladesh and Australia, five from the United States and four from New Zealand.
The Kathmandu Post Career Edufair, which is a calendar programme of the Kantipur Media Group, has been held regularly since 2012 except in 2015 when it could not be organised in the wake of a devastating earthquake. Over the period, the event has become one of the most preferred platforms for colleges and universities as well as students.
- Motivational speech by Magsaysay Award winner Mahabir Pun
- Career Counselling session of Chetan Bhandari, owner of BajekoSekuwa