AAERI Nepal concluded its 7th Annual General Meeting with the Impact Forum on Australian Education 2025, an event that brought together educators, policymakers, and professionals from Nepal and Australia. Hosted by Suhana Budathoki, the forum created a platform to exchange ideas on collaboration, compliance, and the future of student recruitment and education partnerships.
The evening began with guest registration and the national anthems of Nepal and Australia. AAERI Nepal President Dwiraj Sharma welcomed participants with an opening address that set the stage for meaningful conversations.
The first panel discussion, moderated by Immediate Past President Mahesh Babu Timalsina, focused on sustaining the student recruitment ecosystem in Nepal through strategies for collaboration, compliance, and market diversification.
The panel featured contributions from Shristy Bhattarai of Navitas Group, Anup Shrestha from the University of Adelaide, Subhi Pradhan of Southern Cross University, and Alkayet Hossain from Macquarie University.
This was followed by a special session delivered by Otto Dargan, CEO and Founder of Home Loan Expert in Australia and Alaya in Nepal, titled “The Magic of Nepal plus the Experience of the World.” The forum also featured virtual messages from Vik Sing of Austrade and George Thiveos from the Australian Department of Education.
The second discussion, moderated by economist Dr. Paras Kharel, turned attention to the role of returning Nepali graduates in shaping the country’s economic future. Panelists included professionals and graduates such as Abhishek Shrestha from Barashingre and ICMS, Dr. Samir Dixit from UoW/WSU, Arushree Sharma from the University of Sydney, and Ashlesha Karki from Mechi Crown Hotel and the University of Melbourne.
A keynote speech was delivered by Honourable Member of Parliament Dr. Swarnim Wagle, while Chief Guest Her Excellency Leann Johnston, Ambassador of Australia to Nepal, shared her remarks on the importance of strengthening educational ties between the two nations. The program ended with a vote of thanks from Buddhi Sagar Aryal, Vice President of AAERI Nepal, followed by a group photo, dinner, and networking.
The event was supported by a wide range of sponsors and partners, including NIB, IDP IELTS, Nabil Bank, Nepal SBI Bank, Pearson PTE, Siddhartha Bank, Prabhu Bank, Neco Insurance Ltd., Alfa Care Diagnostic Center, and Jupiter Media. With rich discussions and strong representation from both countries, the Impact Forum highlighted the growing importance of Nepal–Australia educational connections and recognized the contributions of graduates in advancing Nepal’s development.
