Skill Week 2026 concludes; Glocal presents 'Skill Hero Award 2026' to five veterans

KATHMANDU: Skill Week 2026 concluded on Monday with a closing ceremony in Lalitpur, attended by entrepreneurs, government diplomats and more than 100 aspiring participants. The seventh edition of the event was organised by Glocal After School, an initiative of Glocal, to promote collaboration between industry, educators and government and to showcase emerging skills.

During the week, held from January 11 to 16, the programme featured workshops, competitions, exhibitions, a job and career fair, case study presentations, music and concerts. The programme focused on four core skill areas — Art and Culture, Entrepreneurship, Tourism and Hospitality, and Science and Technology — combining learning with entertainment to create an 'infotainment' experience for youth.

At the closing ceremony, Glocal After School presented the 'Skill Hero Award 2026', an annual recognition for Nepali citizens with at least seven years of experience who have demonstrated measurable contributions to skill development. Winners were selected by a jury of experts across the four categories.

Among the awardees, Rishab Agrawal received the prize in Tourism and Hospitality. Trained in professional kitchens in Mumbai and at École Ducasse in Paris, Agrawal founded Silk Artisanal Creamery in Kathmandu and is credited with elevating Nepal’s premium food and hospitality scene by blending global techniques with local ingredients.

Similarly, Kishor Kayastha was honoured in Art and Culture for his photography and for founding K2 Art Factory. Kayastha’s long-term projects, including 'MUSTANG Nostalgia: A Two-Decade Odyssey', were highlighted for documenting Mustang’s changing geography and culture and for mentoring the next generation of Nepali photographers.

In Entrepreneurship, Anushka Shrestha won for building Makkusé, a luxury dessert brand that modernises traditional Nepali sweets while aiming for scalable and responsible growth. Shrestha has used her public profile to promote cultural preservation through business innovation.

In Science and Technology, Samir Phuyal was recognised for his work with Bytecare Technology and for developing the Karobar app, a free accounting and inventory management tool that helps micro and small enterprises transition from paper-based bookkeeping to digital operations. Phuyal’s innovations have been acknowledged by several national startup and innovation awards.

The ceremony also highlighted apprenticeship success stories, including Sonam Nembang, an IT graduate who completed institutional and industry-based apprenticeships and saw her monthly incentive increase as a result of strong performance during her industry placement.

Furthermore, Skill Week’s events included the Skill Fest at Embark College on January 16, which offered free workshops, skill stalls and job opportunities for youth, and the 11th edition of CEO Unplugged, featuring panels on leadership and the digital economy. Speakers and panellists discussed the role of skills development and education in shaping a sustainable future and building partnerships between academia, industry and development sectors.

Keeping up with the legacy of welcoming the country’s most influential CEOs and entrepreneurs, Glocal concluded the 11th edition of 'CEO Unplugged' on Skill Fest day at Embark College. With the theme 'Today Meets Tomorrow', three speakers, an appointed moderator, bureaucrats and diplomats marked their presence. More than 100 aspirants participated to network, learn and engaging with prominent business leaders. There were two panel discussions: 'The Leader's Mindset: Decisions That Shape Businesses' led by Saurabh Jyoti, director of Padma Jyoti Group, and 'Economies and Business in the Digital Age: What Founders Need to Know Today' led by Sanjay Golchha, managing director of Neoteric Nepal, and Aanchal Kunwar, managing director of Daraz Nepal. The panels explored the role of skills development and education in shaping a sustainable future and building partnerships between academic institutions, the private sector, development organisations and industry to bridge prevailing skills gaps.
 

Organisers acknowledged strategic partners and supporters, including Embark College, the European Union, several foreign embassies, corporate partners, media organisations and development agencies, and thanked hospitality, banking and outreach partners for their support in bridging the country’s skills gap.