Kathmandu – Ullens Education Foundation has announced that Ullens School is now back to operating at full capacity following the completion of reconstruction efforts. The school’s infrastructure had suffered significant damage during Gen Z movement on Bhadra 24.
Alongside the physical restoration, the Foundation has undergone a major leadership transition, appointing a new Chairperson for the School Management Committee and a new Principal.
New Leadership Appointments
The Foundation has appointed Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa, former Vice-Chancellor of Kathmandu University, as the new Chairperson of the School Management Committee. He succeeds Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, whose term had reached its conclusion.
In addition, Ekta Rana has been appointed as the new Principal of Ullens School. Rana, who joined the institution 20 years ago as a teacher, holds a Master’s degree in Education from Bank Street College of Education. She has previously served as Unit Coordinator and Vice-Principal.
The former Principal, Medin Bahadur Lamichhane, will transition into a new role as the Chief Academic Officer of the Ullens Education Foundation.
Reconstruction and Recovery
The destructive events of Bhadra 24 resulted in damages estimated at NPR 1.25 billion across Ullens' campuses in Bansbari (Kathmandu), Khumaltar (Lalitpur), and the Outdoor Learning Center in Nala (Kavre).
According to the Foundation:
- Kathmandu Campus: Reconstruction is complete, and the facility is fully operational.
- Lalitpur Campus: Partial reconstruction is finished, allowing physical classes to resume in several buildings while work continues on others.
- Transportation: The fleet of vehicles destroyed in the arson will be replaced by eco-friendly electric buses starting from the next academic session.
"The reconstruction process for remaining buildings is ongoing. We are committed to streamlining student transportation by replacing lost vehicles with sustainable electric alternatives," the Foundation stated in its official release.
Strengthening the Board of Trustees
The Ullens Education Foundation has also welcomed new members to its Board of Trustees:
- Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa (Academician)
- Pradyumna Kumar Khanal (Banking Expert with over 30 years of experience at Nepal Rastra Bank)
- Dr. Manish Thapa (Educational and Security Expert)
Founder Chairperson Som Paneru expressed confidence that Principal Rana’s long-standing experience and Lamichhane’s expertise in progressive pedagogy will lead the institution toward a stronger academic future.
Other programs, including Ullens College, the Gap Year Program, and the Teacher Training Center, are also in the process of resuming physical operations.
