Two outstanding students from Nepal are embarking on an education journey to Aussie shores to build a future free from human trafficking.
Madhu Regmi and Yuvraj Pokhrel have received a full scholarship at Charles Darwin University (CDU) to study an Accelerated International Masters Qualifying Program and a CDU-funded Master of Business Administration.
These scholarships are the result of a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CDU and Maiti Nepal, a Nepalise not-for-profit organisation for survivors of violence against women and children and human trafficking.
“An opportunity like this, to travel and study our masters in Australia, is something that we could only dream of in Nepal,” said Ms Regmi in a statement.
“There are many women, children and young people like ourselves at Maiti Nepal who were victims of various vulnerable situations and are now rebuilding their lives through education and employment.
In Nepal, the National Human Rights Commission estimates 1.5 million people are vulnerable to human trafficking, with 150,000 to 200,000 Nepali women and girls being sold to Indian brothels each year.
“Yuvraj and I were both orphaned as young children, and Maiti Nepal took us in. We now aspire to further our own studies and careers to help amplify the organisation’s mission of combatting human trafficking and child exploitation both in Nepal and internationally.”
Mr Pokhrel said they are grateful for the opportunity to make Darwin their second home.
“This experience will broaden our horizons and equip us with the tools to make a positive impact in our community and beyond,” Mr Pokhrel said.
“We are looking forward to becoming more independent, skilful and self-empowered role models for Maiti Nepal students who follow our footsteps in the future, and sharing our personal story with the CDU community.”
According to CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman, these scholarships exemplify the universities commitment to the betterment of global education and showcase Aussie institutions as an attractive destination for aspiring scholars.
“Our partnership will continue to have a positive impact on the lives of Maiti Nepal’s children and beneficiaries, contributing to the development and growth of their skills so that they can be empowered and reintegrate back into society,” said Professor Bowman in a statement.
The MOU was established with Maiti Nepal as part of a two-week trip across India in May by CDU ambassadors to promote studying at the university.
Professor Bowman said that he was confident CDU scholarships would provide hope and a brighter future for many through education.
“At CDU, we are privileged to have many students from Nepal studying with us, and it is critical as a university that we give back,” he said.
“A core part of education is ensuring that we provide opportunities to those who could not otherwise afford it.”
The MOU has since supported five Nepali children through high school and undergraduate degrees and 16 women to undertake advanced-level VET courses, including tailoring, advanced computer training and beauty.
In return, Maiti Nepal also offers study-abroad opportunities for CDU students to aid in educational innovations in health and business and conduct research on a variety of subjects.
