KATHMANDU: The Nepal Educational Consultancy Association (ECAN), the largest umbrella organization of education consultancy entrepreneurs in Nepal, is on the verge of forming a new executive committee as election momentum intensifies. With the election scheduled for Monday, the 28th, ECAN members have clearly split into two camps, setting the stage for a closely contested leadership battle.
The competition for the presidency is primarily between current First Vice President Laxman Poudel ‘Andrew’ and current General Secretary Dipak Raj Bhusal. Both candidates have entered the race with full panels, reflecting a high-stakes contest over who will steer the organization forward.
Responding to recent criticisms surrounding his candidacy, Poudel clarified that his decision to run for president is not driven by personal ambition but by a sense of responsibility toward the organization. He stated that his goal is to strengthen ECAN’s present foundation while making its future more dynamic and sustainable.
“ECAN has reached where it is today because of the honest efforts of many dedicated professionals, and I always respect those contributions,” Poudel said. He emphasized that a prosperous ECAN cannot be built by an individual or a single leadership alone, but through collective effort, cooperation, and unity among all ECAN members.
Noting ongoing debates about experience, continuity, and past contributions within ECAN, Poudel urged members to shift their focus from past actions to future possibilities. He stressed that the election should be about what can be achieved moving forward rather than revisiting old differences.
Recalling his election as First Vice President with the highest number of votes in the previous ECAN election, Poudel said the mandate was not merely a position but a significant responsibility. “Today, ECAN does not need big promises; it needs the right actions. Not speeches, but results,” he said, adding that he is committed to transforming responsibility into measurable outcomes.
Poudel highlighted his active involvement over the past two years in ECAN’s programs, meetings, education fairs, training sessions, and branch-level activities, which he said helped him gain a deep understanding of both the organization and the profession. He emphasized his role in improving coordination between the central office and branches, ensuring smoother program implementation, and amplifying members’ voices within leadership.
He further noted that maintaining trustworthy and cordial relationships with ECAN members both personally and professionally has allowed him to understand the challenges and opportunities faced by branches across the country. His exposure to numerous international conferences and education fairs, he added, has given him firsthand insight into global systems, practices, and organizational structures.
According to Poudel, ECAN now needs leadership that listens to members’ real problems, delivers tangible results from fairs and training programs, expands opportunities to a larger number of members, and focuses on facilitation rather than command. He stressed the importance of treating all education consultants as part of one professional community and family.
Calling this a decisive moment for ECAN, Poudel said it is time to choose simple, honest, and change-oriented leadership—without dividing members into old and new groups. Reaffirming his commitment to continuous advocacy on the importance, future, challenges, and solutions of the education consultancy sector, he expressed readiness to work quietly but effectively for ECAN’s transformation.
Poudel has appealed to all ECAN members to support him with their votes, entrust him with leadership responsibility, and join hands in building a stronger, more inclusive, and results-driven ECAN.
