Kathmandu, January 31, 2025
The "Unleashing Asia Summit," a B2B summit for education and industry leaders, successfully convened today with a mission to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Organized by Skill Lab Asia, the event brought together thought leaders, industry experts, and academic pioneers to foster innovation and collaboration.
The summit kicked off with registration and networking, followed by opening remarks from Nanda Kishor Mandal, Founder and Director of Skill Lab Asia, Dileep Agrawal, Founder and Chairman of WorldLink Communications, and Dr. Tara Prasad Upadhyaya, Campus Chief of Lumbini Banijya Campus. Their speeches emphasized the importance of aligning education systems with evolving industry demands.
Keynote Speakers Highlight Innovation and Future Readiness
The keynote session featured prominent speakers, including Laxman Basnet, VP of Global Operations at SecurityPal, who discussed "Innovating at the Intersection of Academia and Industry Ecosystem." Matthias Meier, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Switzerland to Nepal, spoke about accelerating national prosperity through career guidance systems, while John B. Park, former Head of Product Management at Google, presented insights on "Future-Proofing Education" by envisioning empowered students.
Engaging Panel Discussions
The summit hosted three dynamic panel discussions:
1. Reimagining Education for Transformed Workplaces: Moderated by Reshu Aryal Dhungana, the discussion featured panelists such as Dr. Dhruba Raj Regmi, Chief of Education at UNESCO Nepal, and Kalpana Gurung, Director/Principal of Presidential Graduate School. They explored strategies for adapting education to meet the demands of modern workplaces.
2. Bridging the Education-Employment Gap: Moderated by Art Paardekooper, the session brought together Keshav Nepal, CEO of WorldLink Communications, and Dr. Rosaria Mita Amalia, President of the Indonesia Career Center Network, among others. The discussion focused on collaborative approaches to reduce skill gaps.
3. Policy Instruments: Career Guidance Services as a Tool for Future Success: Moderated by Shailendra Jha, this session featured Baktiar Hansan, Director at the Asia Pacific Career Development Association, and other notable experts. The panel emphasized the critical role of policy frameworks in empowering students for career success.
Closing Remarks
The event concluded with closing remarks and a networking session over tea and refreshments, leaving attendees inspired to drive transformative change in education and industry integration.
The "Unleashing Asia Summit 2025" marks a significant step toward fostering collaboration and innovation, paving the way for a future-ready workforce in Asia.
