ECAN Calls for South Asian Regional Education Alliance at FACD-CAB Conference in Dhaka

DHAKA/KATHMANDU — The Ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh, Ghanshyam Bhandari, has urged Bangladesh’s educational consultancy sector to support the ‘Study in Nepal’ campaign, which aims to position Nepal as an emerging international destination for higher education and innovation. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 14th International Education Fair hosted by the Foreign Education Consultants Association of Bangladesh (FACD-CAB) at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka, Ambassador Bhandari highlighted the need to expand bilateral educational partnerships beyond mere formalities. Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Bhandari emphasized that Nepal offers modern infrastructure, technology, and quality academic programs across its universities and colleges. Given Bangladesh’s sizable youth demographic seeking quality and affordable higher education, he noted that Nepal serves as an ideal study destination.

Highlighting longstanding bilateral ties, he shared that around 2,700 Nepali students are currently pursuing higher studies in Bangladesh, mostly in medical education. He added that strengthening educational exchanges and tourism would further solidify people-to-people connectivity between the two nations. At the event, Bikalp Raj Pokharel, Vice President of the Educational Consultancy Association of Nepal (ECAN), proposed establishing structured institutional linkages between the education sectors of both countries. Pokharel called for active cooperation in student exchange programs, joint academic initiatives, and institutional tie-ups to promote Nepal as an attractive study destination.

He extended a formal invitation to Bangladeshi representatives to attend the upcoming ‘ECAN Day’ in Nepal to chart out future collaborations.Furthermore, former ECAN President Shesh Raj Bhattarai proposed forming a regional alliance among South Asian educational associations to create a unified voice on international education, student mobility, and migration policies. Pointing out that FACD-CAB could take a lead role, Bhattarai stressed that regional coordination is essential as global education policies increasingly intersect with labor markets and geopolitics.The two-day education fair featured 86 exhibition stalls and drew over 22,000 visitors. Attendees included Bangladesh’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam, diplomatic representatives, and ECAN representative Mukesh Dhamala. Reaffirming full commitment from the Nepali Embassy in Dhaka, Ambassador Bhandari pledged continuous diplomatic support to facilitate educational exchanges and regional collaboration.