Kathmandu, Nepal - In a unique educational initiative UPF-Nepal partnered with five business colleges, including the first and largest university in Nepal, to conduct a half-day program entitled Leadership Training in the Business World.” The seminar held in Kathmandu at UPF’s Peace Embassy building on May 11 attracted more than 100 students of business and commerce at both the bachelor's and master's level.
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The five business schools invited were: Tribuvan University’s Central Department of Management, Shankar Dev College, Nepal Commerce College, Times College, and Platinum College. The main organizer of the event was Mr. Surya Bhattarai, Program Direction, Management Student Association of Nepal — and an Ambassador for Peace.
Mr. Richell Jalipa, UPF-Nepal lecturer, gave the first presentation on Public-mindedness in Good Leadership. In a lively interaction with the audience Mr. Jalipa (from the Philippines) taught the importance of public-mindedness in good leadership. Using the example of healthy human beings where the mind manages or directs the body, he emphasized that the mind is designed for public interaction, while the body is meant for self-maintenance. Both mind and body were vital, but the priority of mind (above) and body (below) was absolutely essential. This priority of public (above) and private (below) was the central component of good leadership. In other words, Mr. Jalipa said, “Manage yourself and be public-minded people before you try to manage others.”
The second presentation was by Dr. Robert Kittel, Education Director of UPF-Asia. The title of his presentation was Family Ethics in the Business Culture. This lecture explained the proper attitudes and behaviors of men and women in the office environment in order to avoid issues related to sexual harassment and gender bias. Dr. Kittel used both an interreligious approach as well as sociological data to show why the proper place for human sexuality was within the bonds of marriage. He emphasized that, “The ethics and morals of the family should be the same in the office.”
The last presentation was given by Mr. Hari Kumar Silwal, a financial chartered account and lecturer of business management in Nepal. Mr. Silwal, a professional dispute councilor, shared with the students about his vast business experience from both his international travels (to more than 40 countries) and with Nepal’s business communities. At the end, he fielded a spirited question and answer session with the students.
Plans are afoot to have this program repeated on a larger scale. UPF-Nepal is also working with a local business college in Kathmandu to develop an entire eight lesson curricula, based on UPF’s Principles of Peace, which will be taught in a Bachelor of Business Administration course as part of the official college syllabus.