Manasha Memorial Award at the National Students' Quality Circle Convention

Pokhara – The 19th National Students' Quality Circle (SQC) convention is currently underway at St. Mary's School in Pokhara. On the second day of the program, a stage-round question-and-answer session was held among students selected from the first phase for the Manasha Memorial Total Quality Person Award. Nine talented students selected from across the country participated in the session.

The finalists include Alok Tiwari from Baljyoti English Boarding School (Kapilvastu), Grishma Bhatta from Bright Future Secondary School (Kathmandu), Khushi Bhattarai from Kudos Vidyasadan (Morang), Prasun Panta from Gyan Bagaincha English Boarding School (Pokhara), Pranav Mandal and Pridisha Baral from Jhapa Model English Secondary School, Samyak Pokharel from Kathmandu University High School (Kavre), Sara Kafle from Babylon National School (Kathmandu), and Sumin Koirala from Jagat Mandir Secondary School (Kathmandu).

Established in memory of the late Manasha Sharma, the youngest daughter of QUEST Nepal’s Chief Patron Professor Dinesh Prasad Chapagain, this award is being presented for the ninth time this year. Founded in 2015 following Manasha's passing at the age of 30 on July 13, 2015, the award has so far honored 21 female students and 19 male students.

In the Students' Quality Circle program, the Total Quality Person Index of students selected from various schools was measured through a web-based psychometric test. Students from various schools in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Kapilvastu, Jhapa, Morang, and Kavre have reached the final stage.

The five-member jury consisted of QUEST Nepal Advisor/Think Tank Nirajan Adhikari, Chief Advisor Surina Sunayani Gurung, Founder of Better Chitwan Sagar Chhetri, Course Director of Softwarica College Siddhartha Neupane, and Ittulojiju from St. Mary's Secondary School, Pokhara.

Award winners will receive a certificate of recognition, a trophy, and a cash prize of five thousand rupees. The core objective of this award is to encourage the development of a total quality personality by fostering both "good character" and "smart character" in students.

Special workshops on contemporary issues such as climate change, waste management, AI, and coding are also being conducted during the convention. In these workshops, Er. Sagar Karki facilitated sessions for participating students on carbon footprints, waste management, the responsibilities of students, and climate change/global warming.

Similarly, Er. Siddhartha Neupane facilitated sessions on AI and coding, building responsible AI, the causes and ethics of AI, coding for a better future, and AI for future leaders. The three-day convention, which began yesterday, is featuring various educational and creative activities.

Like the first day, the convention continues with parallel sessions, panel discussions, SQC case study presentations, competitive events, workshops, and sightseeing programs.