Background
Ullens Education Foundation (UEF) is registered with the Office of the Company Registrar as a profit-not- distributing company. Established in 2006 with the vision of becoming a premier educational institution in South Asia, UEF operates Ullens School Lalitpur (K-12 and IBDP), Ullens School Kathmandu (K-10), Ullens LEAP, Ullens College, and the Ullens Center for Educator Development (UCED).
From Destruction to Reconstruction
On September 9 (Bhadra 24), a series of arson, vandalism and looting incidents resulted in the destruction of the five buildings at the Ullens School in Khumaltar, three buildings at the Ullens School Kathmandu in Bansbari and the Outdoor Learning Center in Nala, Kavre. This caused physical damage estimated at NPR 1.25 billion, alongside immeasurable harm to the institution’s social prestige and the mental well-being of its employees.
Following the destruction, UEF stated: “The school buildings were not merely physical structures. On September 9, it was not just the walls that were set ablaze, but the faith, dedication and lives of the extended Ullens family.”
For us, the structures under the Foundation were never just physical buildings. Our centers of knowledge were not merely physical classrooms and office spaces. Every school and educational unit established under the Ullens Education Foundation was a pinnacle of our dedication, trust, faith and dreams. Starting from scratch to build a grand institution was no small feat. While the destruction threatened to leave the foundation in a deficit, UEF chose not to let ruins remain as a symbol of defeat. Despite lingering clouds of uncertainty and insecurity in the country, UEF is proud to announce that five months after the destruction, the schools have been physically rebuilt at a rapid pace. We are deeply moved to welcome students back to their own classrooms in these newly restored landmarks.
The reconstruction efforts have reached significant milestones across all programs: Ullens School Kathmandu has fully restored its physical infrastructure and is now operating at total capacity, while Ullens School Lalitpur has successfully completed partial reconstruction with several buildings ready for classes as work continues on the remaining structures. Simultaneously, Ullens College, the Gap Year program and the Teacher Training Program are preparing to resume physical operations, and in a commitment to sustainability, the foundation is replacing vehicles destroyed in the violence with eco- friendly electric buses for the upcoming academic session.
Restructuring Leadership
Ullens Education Foundation has not only focused on rebuilding physical structures but has also restructured its institutional leadership to make the entire educational environment and learning process more organized, robust and creative. To operate with renewed energy and professionalism in this changing context, the Foundation has restructured its Board and changed the academic leadership and the School Management Committee (SMC).This move is expected to strengthen the school’s public commitment to governance, academic excellence and long-term institutional development. These decisions were first presented for deliberation at a “Town Hall” meeting attended by all members and staff. Following the Town Hall’s approval, the General Assembly formally ratified these decisions, allowing for their implementation.
According to the decisions made during the Town Hall, the newly appointed members of the Ullens Education Foundation’s Board of Trustees include Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa, former Vice-Chancellor of Kathmandu University; Pradyumna Kumar Khanal, a senior banking expert with over three decades of experience at Nepal Rastra Bank; and Dr. Manish Thapa, an academic and security expert who is also a current Ullens parent. During their first interaction with the staff, the new board members expressed their collective commitment to the goals and values of UEF.
Through this Town Hall, the institution has moved forward with a resolve to stand stronger than ever in this changing context. In line with the action plan to strengthen governance and academic leadership, Ekta Rana has been appointed as the Principal of Ullens School, Lalitpur. Having joined Ullens School twenty years ago as a subject teacher, Ms. Rana has gained distinguished experience in academic leadership and management through her roles as a teacher, unit coordinator and Vice-Principal. She possesses deep expertise in the “Ullens educational methodology and philosophy.” A graduate with a Master’s degree in Education from Bank Street College of Education, New York, Ms. Rana is recognized for her strength in progressive pedagogy.
Former Principal Mr. Medin Bahadur Lamichhane will now be fully active in the role of Chief Academic Officer (CAO) of the Ullens Education Foundation, where he will support various educational programs under the Foundation.
Speaking at the Town Hall gathering, the new Principal, Ekta Rana, praised the school’s collaborative culture and expressed her commitment to maintaining and further enriching it. Similarly, former Principal Medin Bahadur Lamichhane reflected on his long association with the school and pledged to contribute to the operation of a stronger, more confident and creative educational institution by focusing on curriculum development, teaching practices and the professional development of teachers. The gathering thanked Mr. Lamichhane for the skillful leadership he demonstrated during his two decades as Principal and expressed confidence that the Foundation would benefit greatly from his further contributions as Chief Academic Officer.
Founding President Som Paneru expressed his belief that Mr. Lamichhane’s experience in progressive pedagogy and academic leadership will strengthen the institution’s educational direction, while Principal Rana’s extensive service and leadership will help take Ullens School to the next level.
Change in School Management Committee (SMC)
As part of the regular governance, transformation and restructuring process, Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa has assumed the role of Chairperson of the School Management Committee under the Ullens Education Foundation, following the completion of former Chairperson Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba’s long tenure. Addressing the gathering, the newly appointed Chairperson of the School Management Committee and member of the UEF Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa, discussed the past collaborations between the Ullens Education Foundation and Kathmandu University. He emphasized the vital importance of stakeholder support and collective effort in strengthening the school’s academic and institutional
foundations.
Following the town hall meeting, members at the General Assembly reviewed the foundation’s achievements and discussed priorities, programs, and strategic guidelines for the coming year. The assembly expressed unanimous confidence that the physical reconstruction and leadership changes reflect the foundation’s unwavering commitment to transparency, robust governance and academic excellence.
The Ullens Education Foundation extends its heartfelt gratitude to well-wishers, parents, civil society, media, intellectuals and particularly the Lalitpur Metropolitan City and other relevant authorities for providing encouragement and inspiration during the unimaginably tragic period following the destruction.
On this occasion, we reaffirm our commitment to operating a transformed and even more capable foundation with renewed morale, a solid action plan and advanced educational programs, while moving forward even more decisively toward our goal of establishing Ullens University.
