27/05/2026
ANAA Holds Inaugural Pre-Departure Session for Australia-Bound Nepali Students
The Association of Nepalese Alumni from Australia (ANAA) successfully concluded its inaugural Pre-Departure Session on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, at Hotel Dusit Princess, Lazimpat, Kathmandu. The event marked a historic milestone — the formal launch of Nepal's first alumni-led Pre-Departure Program for students preparing to pursue higher education in Australia.
The session opened at 2:00 PM with registration and welcome coffee as guests, students, parents, education providers, and dignitaries gathered in the hall. The energy was warm and anticipatory — many students attending, alumni returning to offer the guidance they once wished they had received.
ANAA President Mr. Ananta Poudyal delivered the Welcome Note, setting a tone of purpose and pride. He acknowledged the decades of effort behind this initiative and formally announced the launch of the ANAA Pre-Departure Program — an alumni-led initiative supported by the Australian Government.
In his address, Mr. Poudyal spoke candidly from personal experience: arriving in Melbourne years ago with little more than a visa and a suitcase, he reflected on the uncertainty and challenges he faced. "That gap," he told the students, "is exactly what this program exists to close." He urged students to attend orientation, build cross-cultural friendships, engage in campus life, and invest as much in their skills and networks as in their degrees. To education providers and consultants in the room, he called for more responsible counselling and more thorough preparation — reminding the audience that these students carry not just personal ambitions, but the future of Nepal itself.
The session's centrepiece moment arrived: the official launch of the ANAA Pre-Departure Guidebook. This comprehensive resource — developed with the generous support of Mr. Jileshan Shah, designed by Mr. Aseem Gautam, and enriched with content by Ms. Shraddha Gautam — was unveiled jointly by Mr. Ananta Poudyal, H.E. Mr. Simon Ernst, Dr. Damodar Prasad Pokhrel, and Dr. Ram Hari Aryal. The guidebook is intended to be a trusted companion for every Nepali student making the journey to Australia.
Speaker Mr. Sushant Rijal delivered an in-depth Pre-Departure Presentation covering essential practical guidance — from academic life and work rights to cultural adjustment and building a life in Australia. His presentation drew on firsthand experience and was met with engaged attention from the student audience.
A Student Q&A Session, giving students the opportunity to raise their most pressing questions directly with the panel — a highlight that underscored the session's commitment to honest, student-centred dialogue.
Ms. Ashlesha Karki took the floor for Alumni Experience Sharing — offering candid reflections on her own journey from Nepal to the University of Melbourne and her life in Australia. Her story resonated deeply with students and parents alike.
Special Guest Mr. Anil Keshary Shah then addressed the gathering from, sharing personal reflections from his recent visit to Australia and his interactions with the Nepali diaspora, offering a senior leader's perspective on the opportunities and responsibilities that await.
The formal proceedings culminated with the Chief Guest Address by H.E. Mr. Simon Ernst, Australian Ambassador to Nepal, who expressed his appreciation for the initiative, offered encouragement to the departing students, and underscored the strong bonds between Australia and Nepal.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Mr. Pranil M.S. Pradhan on behalf of the ANAA Executive Committee, with heartfelt acknowledgements to all guests, partners, volunteers, and participants.
The event concluded with High Tea and Networking - a relaxed and lively close where students connected with alumni, mentors, and fellow future Australia-goers.
SPEAKER & PARTICIPANT PROFILES
Ananta Poudyal — Welcome Note & Book Launch | President, ANAA
Mr. Ananta Poudyal holds a Master of International Relations from Monash University, Australia, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Kathmandu University. He is the current President of ANAA and a Director at Nabil Bank, and has also served on the board of the Nepalese Association of Australian Education Representatives.
Sushant Rijal — Main Speaker, Pre-Departure Presentation | Head of Innovation Kitchen, King's College
Mr. Sushant Rijal is a recipient of the prestigious Australia Awards Scholarship and a graduate of The Australian National University, where he completed his Advanced Master of Management in Entrepreneurship and Innovation in 2024. He currently leads the Innovation Kitchen at King's College, with expertise in design thinking, entrepreneurship, and social innovation.
Ashlesha Karki — Alumni Experience Sharing | Deputy Managing Director, Hotel Mechi Crown
Ms. Ashlesha Karki is a graduate of the University of Melbourne, where she completed a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting and Management. She currently serves as Deputy Managing Director of Hotel Mechi Crown, overseeing operations, customer relationship management, and the development of a new hotel in Pokhara. She previously worked as a Financial Management Consultant at Infinity Tech Solutions & Management and as a coach at Fitness First Australia.
Anil Keshary Shah — Special Guest | Director & Former CEO, Nabil Bank
Mr. Anil Keshary Shah brings over three decades of leadership experience in Nepal's financial sector. He has served as CEO of Nabil Bank, held senior roles at Standard Chartered Bank, and was the founding CEO of Mega Bank. He is a former President of the Nepal Bankers' Association. Mr. Shah completed Executive Education in Leadership for the 21st Century at Harvard University, holds an MBA from the University of Delhi, and a BBA from George Washington University. He has been recognised as Manager of the Year by the Management Association of Nepal (2008), Top CEO by The Boss Excellence Awards (2005–2007), and Asia's Idol by the Asia News Network (2007).
H.E. Simon Ernst — Chief Guest | Australian Ambassador to Nepal
H.E. Mr. Simon Ernst is the Australian Ambassador to Nepal, a career public servant with nearly three decades of experience in indigenous and international affairs. He has worked across government, NGOs, community organisations, and the private sector in Australia and overseas, including a prior posting in Indonesia. He holds a Master of International and Community Development from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Political Science from the University of New South Wales.
Dr. Damodar Prasad Pokhrel — Former President, ANAA
Dr. Damodar Prasad Pokhrel completed advanced fellowship training in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at Westmead Hospital, Australia, in 1989. He is a pioneer of cardiac surgery in Nepal, having led the country's first open-heart surgery in 1992 at Bir Hospital, and was a founding team member of Sahid Gangalal National Heart Centre.
Dr. Ram Hari Aryal — Founder President, ANAA
Dr. Ram Hari Aryal is an alumnus of the Australian National University and the University of Adelaide. He has served as Secretary of the Government of Nepal and Board Director of Nepal Rastra Bank, and currently chairs IME Life Insurance Company.
ANAA extends its deepest gratitude to exclusive event partner Singapore Airlines for their commitment to making Australia more accessible through exclusive ticketing benefits for students. Sincere thanks also to Mr. Jileshan Shah, Mr. Aseem Gautam, Ms. Shraddha Gautam, Secretary Mr. Sujan Jung Karki, organising volunteers Mr. Alok and Mr. Rohan Thakur, all Australian education providers, and every participant whose presence gave this program its purpose.
With over 50,000 Nepalese students currently enrolled in Australia, ANAA's Pre-Departure Program is a commitment to ensuring every one of them is prepared, supported, and set up to succeed.
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