Australia Awards South and West Asia

Australia Awards – Nepal organised an online event on 17 October to celebrate the achievements of new alumni and welcome them to the community of Australia Awards alumni in Nepal.

Dylan Jones-Virma, Head of Development at the Australian Embassy in Kathmandu, addressed the 16 Scholarship recipients who have completed their studies in Australia and returned to Nepal since September 2024. He delivered his welcome remarks and congratulated the alumni on their successful Scholarship journeys. He said, “Your hard work as an Australia Awards scholar has paid off, and this is the time to celebrate your success.”

Dylan Jones-Virma addressing the new alumni.

In his address, Mr Jones-Virma noted the recognition that Australia Awards alumni receive for their skills, knowledge and networks gained through their Scholarships, while also reminding the alumni of what’s expected of them. He urged those in attendance to “think of how you can contribute to meet [other people’s] expectations, as well as your own expectations in furthering the development journey of Nepal”.

Australia Awards alumni are highly regarded as leaders and influencers, and many alumni have made outstanding contributions to Nepal’s development. Referring to this track record, Mr Jones-Virma said, “We are very proud of our alumni for the great work they have been doing for their country. I am confident that you will also make yourself one of such alumni.”

Through the event, the new cohort of alumni shared their Australia Awards experiences. They reflected on how they coped with the academic challenges inherent to world-class universities and still excelled in their studies while having fun, enjoying social life, networking with people from different countries and learning about the rich culture of Australia’s First Nations people.

Alum Prakriti Budha Magar sharing her Australia Awards experience with the other participants.

Australia Awards has a large community of alumni in Nepal, with more than 1,200 members, and this community is growing as Australia Awards recipients return home to contribute to Nepal’s development upon completing their studies. Between 2021 and 2025 alone, 74 Nepali applicants received Australia Awards Scholarships to study a master’s degree in Australia. Currently, 33 scholars are pursuing postgraduate degrees in 10 different Australian universities. Australia Awards – Nepal looks forward to welcoming them, too, home as alumni working for the development of their country.