Nabil Bank launches fourth batch of Social Entrepreneurship fellowship program
The fellowship program officially commenced on Monday at the School of Management, Tribhuvan University.
KATHMANDU: Nabil Bank Limited has consistently carried out programs aimed at promoting social entrepreneurship.
In line with this, the Nabil School of Social Entrepreneurship (Nabil SSE) has launched the fourth batch of its fellowship program.
The fellowship program officially commenced on Monday at the School of Management, Tribhuvan University.
This program, conducted in collaboration with Tribhuvan University’s School of Management (SOMTU), has seen participation from 20 aspiring entrepreneurs.
Nabil Bank has been organizing this program with the goal of providing essential knowledge and mentorship to aspiring entrepreneurs with an interest in social entrepreneurship, innovative thinking, and engagement in entrepreneurial activities. Previously, Nabil SSE had provided entrepreneurship training to three groups.
Addressing the fourth batch of the fellowship program, Nabil Bank’s Chairman, Upendra Poudel, shared that the bank, which has primarily focused on deposit collection and loan investments, has been expanding its reach gradually. He praised Nabil Bank for leading the charge in promoting entrepreneurship development in society.
Chairman Poudel further explained that the bank has been conducting such programs with a forward-looking approach, considering international practices for sustainable banking while determining how they can move forward in the context of Nepal.
Nabil Bank is also planning to establish an “entrepreneurship hub” in Kirtipur for the development of entrepreneurship. He urged coordination with the university for the same.
Nabil Bank’s Director, Nirvana Chaudhary, mentioned that Nabil continues to provide an excellent platform for those interested in social entrepreneurship. He highlighted that the bank has been collaborating with national and international experts to support the entrepreneurship sector. He also assured that the fellowship program participants will receive all necessary advice and guidance.
Chaudhary expressed excitement about the positive impact the fellowship program has already started to create in society. He remarked, “We have observed significant positive effects from the Nabil SSE program, and although you may not have the best infrastructure right now, this platform will be highly useful if you’re seeking the right guidance and advice.”
Nabil Bank’s Deputy CEO, Manoj Gyawali, stated that the bank has been making important contributions to entrepreneurship development as part of its corporate social responsibility. He proudly mentioned the program’s impact, noting that the bank will be able to answer the question “What have we done?” with satisfaction.
The fellowship program provides participants with 18 days of action-based residential training over six months, as well as one year of mentoring services. Gyawali also shared that the three-month Nabil SSE Certificate Course imparts essential knowledge and skills for running and managing social enterprises.
During the training, participants will learn about branding, marketing, and banking strategies for their products. Ghyawali assured, “We will provide complete solutions for business operations.”
Dr. Govinda Tamang, Director of Tribhuvan University’s School of Management (SOMTU), praised Nabil Bank’s initiative, stating that it is an excellent example of how universities and the corporate sector can collaborate effectively. He believes such collaborations will help universities in developing new curricula.
Out of the 20 fellowship participants, 11 are women. The participants come from Kathmandu (8), Lalitpur (3), Bhaktapur (3), and other regions including Khotang, Rupandehi, Sunsari, Tanahun, Banke, and Arghakhanchi (6).
The participants are engaged in environmentally friendly businesses, such as producing clothing from banana fibers, creating beauty products from natural herbs, and designing various types of candles. Entrepreneurs who have studied engineering and Ayurveda have also contributed to making the program more impactful. The participants are focused on agricultural production, jewelry making, digital learning management systems, and the development of e-learning platforms.
The bank followed a rigorous selection process for the fellowship, shortlisting individuals with the potential and determination to succeed from hundreds of applicants who applied in July.
The participants of the fourth batch showcased their products during the program. They expressed their intent to seek expert advice on how to make their products sustainable and expand their businesses.
Through the Nabil SSE program, the bank has trained 56 social entrepreneurs to date, with 45 businesses successfully launched. The program has also created employment opportunities for more than 1,200 individuals.
