Nepal PhD Association Hosts Successful Public Lecture and Discussion on National Budget FY 2082/83

Kathmandu, June 13, 2025 – The Nepal PhD Association (NPA) successfully organized its first Public Lecture and Discussion titled "National Budget FY 2082/83: Opportunities and Challenges for the Economic Reform of the Nepal” at Square Hotel, Pulchowk. The event, held from 14:00 to 16:30 hrs, brought together esteemed scholars, policymakers, and stakeholders to deliberate on Nepal’s economic future, with generous support from Global IME Bank.

The program was inaugurated by Chief Guest Prof. Dr. Shiva Raj Adhikari, Vice-Chair of the National Planning Commission, who lit the traditional Panas to mark the occasion. Dr. Sunil Babu Shrestha, President of NPA, delivered a warm welcome and outlined the program’s objectives, emphasizing the importance of intellectual discourse in shaping economic reforms. The event was skillfully moderated by Dr. Sundari Pokharel, General Secretary of NPA.

A highlight of the event was the keynote presentation by Dr. Prakash Kumar Shrestha, Member of National Planning Commission, who provided an in-depth analysis of the national budget’s potential to drive economic transformation. Prof. Dr. Adhikari, in his remarks, commended NPA’s initiative and stressed the need for evidence-based policymaking to address Nepal’s economic challenges.

Following a short break, an interactive panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Ramesh Paudel, former Member of the National Planning Commission. The panel featured prominent experts, including:

Dr. Ram Kumar Phuyal, Former Member of the National Planning Commission and NPA life member

Dr. Bishnu Prasad Gautam, Former President of NPA

Prof. Dr. Sanjay Acharya, NPA life member

Dr. Pradeep Panthi, Representative from the Policy Research Institute (PRI)

Each panellist shared insightful perspectives on the budget’s opportunities and challenges, engaging in two rounds of questions from the moderator. The session concluded with a lively 30-minute Q&A with the audience, fostering a robust exchange of ideas.

The program wrapped up with the presentation of tokens and letters of appreciation to the keynote speaker, moderator, and panellists. Dr. Chandra Kanta Gyawali, Vice-President of NPA and Constitutionalist, delivered a vote of thanks, acknowledging the contributions of participants, organizers, and Global IME Bank for their unwavering support. The event concluded with a group photo and a HI Tea session, allowing for further networking among attendees.

The NPA Public Lecture and Discussion I underscored the association’s commitment to fostering intellectual dialogue and contributing to Nepal’s economic policy landscape. With the success of this event, NPA looks forward to hosting more such impactful programs in the future.