The Hult Prize 2025/26 at Khwopa College of Engineering (KhCE) took an important step in its journey by successfully hosting a Design Thinking Workshop on December 10, 2025, in Hall 3, Block F&G. The session gathered motivated students eager to learn structured approaches to innovation and problem-solving, emphasizing the program’s commitment to developing practical entrepreneurial skills.
The workshop was led by Campus Director Mr. Rohan Singh and facilitated by Mr. Neeraj Pradhan, Managing Director and Co-founder of Skill Square. This engaging, hands-on session introduced students to the design thinking methodology and highlighted its importance in addressing real-world social challenges. The focus was on deeply understanding problems and developing solutions that are both human-centered and impactful.
The program began with a warm welcome from emcees Lasata Tuladhar and Riya Shahi, representing the Hult Prize Organizing Committee. They also acknowledged the vital support from event partners: Protozoa Host as the Cloud Hosting Partner, OOPS! Nepal as the Entertainment Partner, Edusanjal as the Education Partner, Mohan Ceramics Industries as the Cultural Partner, and Special Juju Dhau Bhandar as the Refreshment Partner. Their contributions were instrumental in the successful execution of the workshop.
Mr. Neeraj Pradhan delivered an in-depth session on design thinking, drawing from his experience of conducting over 200 training programs across Nepal since 2020. He clearly explained the five-stage process: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test, using practical examples and insights from his own professional journey. His approach made the concepts accessible and directly relevant to students preparing for entrepreneurial challenges, such as the Hult Prize.
The session moved beyond theory into practice through an interactive ideation exercise. Students actively worked through the design thinking stages, collaboratively refining their ideas and learning how to translate abstract concepts into tangible solutions. This hands-on experience helped participants gain confidence in applying design thinking tools to their own Hult Prize ideas and future projects.
The workshop included a prize distribution ceremony recognizing the winners of activities held at the Hult Stalls on November 26 and 27, 2025. Supreme Shrestha was awarded first place, Salin Dangal took second, and Shubhanga Aryal secured third in the Stacking Game. In the Memory Game, Niruta Khanal achieved first place, followed by Rajwol Kumar Shrestha in second and Isha Shrestha in third. The Change My Mind Challenge was won by Trijan Koju.
The program concluded with closing remarks that expressed sincere appreciation to Mr. Neeraj Pradhan for his valuable time and guidance. Campus Director Mr. Rohan Singh presented him with a Token of Love in recognition of his inspiring contributions. The event wrapped up with a group photograph and refreshments, leaving participants feeling energized and motivated.
Overall, the Design Thinking Workshop successfully equipped students with essential frameworks and practical skills needed to develop user-focused, impactful solutions. By combining structured learning with interactive application, the event enhanced the culture of innovation and social entrepreneurship at KhCE, setting a strong foundation for students as they continue their journey in the Hult Prize 2025/26 competition.
