KATHMANDU — October 4, 2026
In a joint all-staff meeting attended by members across the Ullens community, the Ullens Education Foundation (UEF) formally announced key leadership appointments: Dr. Manish Thapa as the new Chairperson of the School Management Committees (SMC) for both Ullens School Lalitpur (USL) and Ullens School Kathmandu (USK). Likewise, Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghimire has been appointed as a new Member of the Board of Trustees.
Dr. Manish Thapa Appointed as Chairperson of the SMC
In accordance with governance provisions, the SMC Chairperson is appointed from among the members of the Board of Trustees. Serving as an active member of the seven-person Board of Trustees, Dr. Manish Thapa now steps into the role of SMC Chairperson, leading the management committees for both Ullens School campuses in Kathmandu and Lalitpur.
Dr. Thapa brings extensive global academic leadership and multi-sectoral governance experience to his role. A distinguished scholar, he serves as a Visiting Professor at the University of Warsaw and previously headed the Department of Peace and Security Studies at the UN-mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica. He holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of Tokyo, completed post-doctoral research at the University of Warsaw, and has held fellowships at Brown University, McGill University, and the University of Notre Dame. As the Chief Editor of the Palgrave Encyclopedia of Global Security Studies and a leader across various international economic and infrastructure boards, including the Global Equity Fund, Dr. Thapa combines global educational vision with strong organizational governance to guide Ullens School.
Addressing the staff during the meeting, Dr. Thapa reflected on the institution’s recovery over the past year:
“In this short period, within just a single year, we have rebuilt both our school’s foundation once again. Now, the time has come to move forward, continue serving as a leading school, and consistently deliver quality education.” He thanked the staff and the entire Ullens community for their steady commitment through this period.
FCA Chandra Shekhar Ghimire Joins the Board of Trustees
FCA Chandra Shekhar Ghimire has been appointed as a Member of the UEF Board of Trustees. Mr. Ghimire brings thorough knowledge of both the school and the foundation, having previously served as an external auditor for UEF before becoming the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) of the foundation. His extensive familiarity with UEF’s institutional operations, combined with his experience as a Ullens parent, provides a practical perspective for long-term governance.
Addressing the gathering, Som Paneru, Founding President of the Ullens Education Foundation, reflected on the institution’s progress, policy reforms, and future direction.
“Systemic growth and institutional reform naturally require timely updates in leadership,” stated Mr. Paneru, thanking outgoing SMC Chair Dr. Bhola Thapa for his contributions toward strengthening key institutional policies, including UEF’s inclusive education policy and scholarship policy. He emphasized that these frameworks must be owned and actively upheld by all staff.
Highlighting the strategy behind the new appointments, Mr. Paneru noted:
“Eventually, we aim to transition the leadership of our institution toward our parent body and alumni, and these appointments represent a crucial initial step toward that future goal. Both Dr. Manish Thapa and FCA Chandra Shekhar Ghimire are parents of Ullens students. They understand firsthand what it takes to build a strong school and an enduring educational foundation for every child.”
Welcoming the leadership transition, Mr. Paneru added: “Dr. Manish Thapa brings a wealth of enterprise experience and global academic insight. Our collective focus remains on raising our standards, expanding access to Ullens’ progressive pedagogy, and solidifying our position as an educational center. Meanwhile, FCA Chandra Shekhar Ghimire offers a deep understanding of our organization from the inside out. His long-standing dedication and institutional care will be invaluable as we continue building a school of excellence.”
The Ullens Education Foundation extends its appreciation to the outgoing leadership and welcomes Dr. Thapa and Mr. Ghimire into their expanded governance roles as the Foundation carries forward its work.
Ullens Education Foundation
