The closing ceremony of the educational exhibition and anniversary celebration of Khwopa Engineering College (KhEC) and Khwopa College of Engineering (KhCE), held as part of the Bhaktapur Festival 2081, concluded on Tuesday, 2nd Poush 2081. The event brought together prominent figures, including Chief Guest Prem Suwal, a Member of Parliament and Secretary of the Nepal Workers and Peasants' Party, who delivered a compelling speech on Nepal’s socio-economic challenges and the way forward.

Suwal expressed grave concerns over the state of Nepal’s education system, citing the increasing trend of Nepali students opting for foreign institutions. He criticized political interference in university appointments, which he claimed is weakening the academic sector.

Highlighting systemic corruption, Suwal questioned the lack of transparency in disclosing the assets of 25 high-profile figures, including the Prime Minister. “Despite legal provisions, the assets of corrupt individuals remain untouched,” he remarked. He also criticized Nepal's reliance on foreign employment, pointing out that many Nepalis face hardships abroad as laborers, mercenaries, or victims of trafficking. He emphasized the urgency of creating dignified job opportunities within the country.

Suwal called attention to the exploitation of Nepal's natural resources, particularly timber smuggling to India, and stressed the importance of using these resources for the nation's benefit. He warned against the unchecked urbanization of the Kathmandu Valley, describing it as unsustainable and calling for balanced national development to curb migration into the valley.

Reflecting on Nepal’s political history, Suwal criticized successive governments for failing to achieve self-reliance. He accused them of prioritizing political gains over national interests, highlighting the need to utilize Nepal’s natural and human resources effectively.

The chief guest also criticized the government for its inefficiency in utilizing development funds, revealing that only a fraction of the allocated 352 billion rupees had been spent in five months. He questioned Nepal’s dependency on loans from international institutions like the World Bank and IMF while avoiding infrastructure funding opportunities from initiatives such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Suwal also raised issues regarding public land misuse and urged the government to approve the Khwopa University Bill. “Allocating 108 ropanis of land in Sallaghari for Khwopa University would be a significant step toward advancing higher education and boosting Bhaktapur’s development as a knowledge hub,” he stated.

Bhaktapur Mayor and Chair of the College Management Committee, Sunil Prajapati, presided over the event, expressing gratitude for the community’s support during the festival. He emphasized the festival’s role in preserving Nepal’s rich cultural heritage and providing a platform for academic and artistic collaboration.

The festival, which showcased Nepal’s art, culture, and traditions, saw significant community participation. Prajapati highlighted the inclusion of educational exhibitions and competitions, such as 3D modeling, robotics, and software challenges, which added academic value to the event.

Chief Guest Suwal stated, "The allocation of 108 ropanis of land in Sallaghari, Bhaktapur, is being sought for the establishment and operation of Khwopa University. The government must take immediate action to approve the Khwopa University Bill to facilitate its establishment."

He emphasized that passing this bill would be a significant step toward advancing higher education and ensuring Bhaktapur's development as a center of knowledge and science.

Sunil Prajapati, Chairman of the College Management Committee and Mayor of Bhaktapur Municipality presided over the closing ceremony and expressed gratitude to all for their support in completing the five-day Bhaktapur Festival and the educational exhibition organized by Bhaktapur Municipality. He highlighted the diverse programs that took place throughout the festival, emphasizing the significant participation of mayors and deputy mayors from various local levels. He emphasized the pride associated with exhibiting the Kha Pyakhan, which is on the verge of extinction. Prajapati noted that the festival serves as a university for those interested in learning about art, culture, language, literature, and other subjects, providing a valuable opportunity for community engagement and cultural exchange.

Bagmati Provincial Assembly member Srijana Sainju addressed key global and local issues, adding depth and substance to the event. In her speech, Ms. Sainju expressed strong solidarity with the Palestinian people, commending their resilience against American and Israeli aggression. “The Palestinian people are fighting to defend their homeland and are refusing to surrender,” she said, emphasizing global support for their cause. She also highlighted China's exemplary achievements in eradicating poverty for 1.4 billion people and its efforts to assist nations through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which leverages modern science and technology to address global hunger.

Shifting focus to Bhaktapur, Sainju praised the city’s fifty-year-long campaign to preserve its rich cultural heritage, language, and history. She noted Bhaktapur's dual focus on modernity and antiquity, emphasizing the need for the younger generation to become capable and innovative in an era defined by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and technology.

The event also celebrated the academic achievements, with Principal Er. Sujan Maka presented an evaluation of the college’s examination results. He proudly announced that Khwopa's performance surpassed the national average, attributing this success to the dedication of its faculty and students. Maka also highlighted the participation of five universities in the educational exhibition, which fostered collaboration and enriched the academic spirit of the event.

Principal Er. Sunil Duwal of Khwopa College of Engineering lauded the educational exhibition for its role in advancing the academic development of both students and faculty. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the successful management of the five-day event.

Other speakers, including Dr. Subegman Bijukchhe, Vice Principal of Khwopa Engineering College; Er. Ratnashova Prajapati, Vice Principal of Khwopa College of Engineering; and Administrative Officer Siddhiram Suwal, shared their reflections and appreciation for the collective efforts that ensured the event's success.

At the closing ceremony, the chief guest distributed trophies, medals, certificates, and cash prizes to the winning teams of various competitions held during the five-day educational exhibition. These included the 3-D Model Competition related to Architecture, the 3-D Model Competition related to Civil Engineering, the Robot Competition, the Software Competition, and the Last Building Standing on Shake Table Competition.