Harvard University · Division of Continuing Education

Journey to Harvard

In May 2023, after years of grassroots public service and academic pursuit, I stepped onto the campus of Harvard University to complete the Strategic Leadership Program — a milestone born from determination, sacrifice, and the long walks of Okhaldhunga.

2023
Year
3
Days Program
USA
Cambridge, MA
DCE
Division
The Story

From Okhaldhunga to Cambridge

1

The Foundation: Long Walks to School

My journey to Harvard began not in a city classroom, but on the narrow mountain trails of Okhaldhunga, where I walked three hours each way to reach secondary school. Those walks instilled in me the discipline and determination that would carry me across continents and to one of the world's greatest universities.

2

Academic Excellence: Tokyo & Beyond

After earning multiple master's degrees and serving in critical government roles, I was awarded the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship to study Public Policy at the University of Tokyo. This international exposure opened the door to elite global networks and institutions.

3

The Harvard Moment: Strategic Leadership

In May 2023, I participated in the Strategic Leadership Program at Harvard's Division of Continuing Education — a rigorous program that sharpened my skills in visionary leadership, institutional change management, and strategic decision-making in the public sector.

4

Bringing Harvard Back to Nepal

The insights and frameworks from Harvard directly informed my work in PM Balen's Secretariat. From designing citizen-centred policies to leading governance reforms, the Harvard experience amplified my capacity to serve Nepal with greater vision, strategy, and impact.

Harvard University Campus

Program Details

Strategic Leadership

Harvard Division of Continuing Education
May 15–17, 2023
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Certificate in Strategic Leadership
Impact

Key Takeaways & Applications

How the Harvard experience shaped my approach to governance and leadership in Nepal.

Strategic Vision

Strengthened my capacity to think long-term, anticipate policy consequences, and design strategies that align institutional goals with citizen needs across complex governance environments.

Institutional Leadership

Deepened understanding of how to drive change within bureaucratic institutions, manage high-performing teams, and create cultures of accountability and excellence in public service.

Global Perspective

Engaged with leaders from across the world, broadening my understanding of how different governance models address common challenges in public policy, health systems, and citizen service.

Innovation in Government

Gained frameworks for applying innovation principles to public sector challenges, accelerating the adoption of evidence-based tools like Health Technology Assessment in Nepal's policy ecosystem.

Coalition Building

Developed skills for building cross-sector coalitions — critical for the kind of multi-stakeholder health policy reform that Nepal needs to strengthen its healthcare system.

Ethical Leadership

Reinforced my commitment to integrity, transparency, and ethical decision-making — the cornerstones of the governance reform work I pursue daily in Nepal's PM Secretariat.

Milestones

The Academic Milestones

🏫

Early Education

SLC — Him Ganga Secondary School, Okhaldhunga

📚

2009

MA Sociology — Tribhuvan University, Nepal

🏛️

2017

MPA — Kasthamandap School of Public Administration, Nepal

🗾

2018–2020

MPP — University of Tokyo, Japan World Bank Scholar

🎓

May 2023

Strategic Leadership — Harvard University, Cambridge, USA Harvard