Graduation Marks Beginning of Greater Opportunities, Says Vice-Chancellor Marhatta

Kathmandu / Sept 19: Kantipur City College (KCC) has organized the SDG Ambassador Graduation Program – Batch 3 to honor 26 students who successfully completed the one-year SDG Ambassador Program.

The graduation ceremony was held on Friday at Bougainvillea Events, Tripura Marg, Kathmandu. The event was organized by the SDSN Club in collaboration with Kantipur City College and Kalpa Academy. The participating students were presented with certificates and various awards during the ceremony.

Chief Guest Prof. Dr. Sujan Babu Marhatta, Vice-Chancellor of Purbanchal University, highlighted the important role of young people in promoting youth leadership, education and sustainable development. He emphasized that the knowledge, skills and active participation of young people are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Graduation is not the end of learning; it is the beginning of greater opportunities,” Marhatta said. He urged the graduates to apply the knowledge, skills and experiences gained through the program to society and the field of sustainable development in the days ahead.

Special Guest Prof. Rama Krishna Regmi, Head of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at KCC, said the graduation program had encouraged students to develop leadership skills and identify opportunities to work in the field of sustainable development. He expressed satisfaction that the SDG program had enabled students not only to study society but also to understand social issues and engage with them through practical initiatives.

KCC Principal Raju Kattel said programs such as the SDG Ambassador initiative provide students with opportunities to apply classroom-based knowledge to social and environmental issues. He said the program has also helped translate young people’s creativity, leadership capacity and sense of social responsibility into practical action.

Stanislas Lazouzi, Head of Administration at the French Embassy in Kathmandu, said the quality of consciousness is a fundamental basis of success.

Similarly, Dr. Binaya Krishna Thapa of Kathmandu University said KCC had provided young people with a pathway toward empowerment and leadership development.
The event brought together educators, development experts, representatives from the business sector and representatives of various organizations working in youth leadership. Participants included Mim Hamal, Senior Program Manager at the European Commission; Stanislas Lazouzi, Head of Administration at the French Embassy; and Rakesh Karn, Country Director of DG Foundation.

Representatives associated with FNCCI, NGCCCI, Rural Reconstruction Nepal, Kathmandu University, Practical Action/Global Voice, JCYCN and NYCA were also present at the event.

The program featured discussions on youth participation, sustainable development, cross-sectoral collaboration, and practical approaches to addressing social and environmental challenges. A panel discussion focused on the challenges and opportunities surrounding sustainable development and youth leadership.

During the ‘Success Story’ session, participating students presented the projects they had conducted over the one-year program, along with their experiences and key learnings. They also shared their activities and contributions related to various Sustainable Development Goals. The event provided an opportunity for interaction and networking between students and experts working in the field of sustainable development.

Professors Janet Sanders, Robertson Work and Dr. Rita Dhungel from universities in Canada and the United States also congratulated the graduates through video messages.

The event included a panel discussion, cultural presentation, ‘Success Story’ session and graduation ceremony. The students were formally recognized for completing the one-year program and for their engagement, learning and contributions in the field of sustainable development.

The SDG Ambassador Program is one of the key initiatives operated by KCC through its SDSN Club. According to the college, the program provides students with knowledge, activities and practical learning opportunities related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Over the course of the one-year program, participating students gained knowledge and practical experience in sustainable development, social responsibility and youth leadership. With the completion of the SDG Ambassador Graduation Program – Batch 3, the third batch formally concluded its one-year journey.