Last Updated on by ICT Byte
The Hult Prize at IOE, Pulchowk Campus, hosted its first session of the “Talk Series I: Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship” on January 7, successfully igniting enthusiasm for social entrepreneurship among participants. Conducted via Zoom, the event attracted a diverse audience of students, professionals, and aspiring changemakers, offering an invaluable platform for dialogue and inspiration.
The event began at 6 PM with Miss Priyanka Kaushik Chhetri, an architecture student at Pulchowk Campus, serving as the emcee. Miss Riyaj Nepal, Campus Director of the Hult Prize at IOE, delivered the welcome speech, setting an engaging tone for the evening. Distinguished speakers included Mr. Ajit Bikram Shah, CEO of Lotus Holdings, and Miss Shreeya Giri, Founder of Happy Minds, who shared their experiences and insights on entrepreneurship and social impact.
Inspiring Stories of Change
Ajit Bikram Shah, a seasoned entrepreneur with over three decades of experience, recounted the journey of Lotus Minds, emphasizing the importance of resilience, perseverance, and leveraging personal strengths. He urged Nepali youth studying abroad to explore opportunities in their homeland, highlighting the potential of Nepal’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Shreeya Giri inspired the audience with her story of founding Happy Minds, an initiative addressing mental health challenges in Nepal. She emphasized the value of combining commercial approaches with social impact, sharing personal anecdotes of overcoming challenges and encouraging attendees to persist despite setbacks.
Interactive Insights
An engaging Q&A session followed, where the speakers addressed various questions from the audience:
- Forbes 30 Under 30: Giri shared her journey to being featured, stressing persistence and growth as key factors. She also highlighted the need for awareness about mental health in Nepal, particularly in remote areas.
- Entrepreneurial Skills: Shah outlined essential skills, including business development, networking, and continuous learning, while emphasizing the importance of supporting fellow entrepreneurs.
- Ideation and Investment: When asked how they would spend $1,000 in 24 hours, both speakers prioritized investing in emerging technologies and lifelong learning opportunities.
The speakers encouraged participants to embrace uncertainty during the ideation phase, focus on passion over profit, and develop meaningful networks for personal and professional growth.
Empowering the Future
The event concluded with an open floor session, allowing attendees to ask questions on topics such as networking, life skills, and mental health. The insights shared by the speakers left participants motivated and better equipped to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations.
This Talk Series underscores the growing momentum of Nepal’s entrepreneurial landscape. With more sessions planned, Hult Prize at IOE is poised to continue inspiring students and fostering innovation in the country.
