Pokhara, July 23 । Prabhat Acharya, a BBA eighth-semester student at Pokhara College of Management (PCM), has received an entrepreneurship grant of Rs. 1.2 million from the University Grants Commission (UGC). The grant is interest-free and collateral-free. He was selected in the final round under the Commission’s Entrepreneurship Support Program after outperforming more than 400 participants from across the country.

The college handed over the grant amount to Acharya on Wednesday. He is required to repay the amount within five years.

Acharya will use the grant to implement his entrepreneurial project of producing asparagus tea. He plans to cultivate asparagus on his own three ropanis of land.

He also plans to collect asparagus from other farmers and process it. Various types of medicinal tea will be produced from the processed asparagus and marketed for sale.

The amount handed over to Acharya is the first installment of the grant provided by the Commission. PCM Principal Lina Negi Shrestha handed over the grant amount.

“I am happy that the student has achieved this success through the training provided by the Commission and the support of the college,” said Principal Shrestha.

During the program, the college and student Acharya also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on various aspects related to the proper utilization of the grant amount.

“The college has prioritized practical knowledge, research, and leadership development alongside students’ academic achievements,” the college administration stated.

On the occasion, Prakash Acharya, Managing Director of Harilo Agro Pvt. Ltd., shared his views. He discussed the importance of youth participation and entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector.

Similarly, the college’s Program Coordinator Hari Adhikari said that the entire college family was proud of the student’s achievement. The student’s father, Prem Prasad Acharya, expressed his gratitude for his son’s efforts and the guidance provided by the college.

At the program, Assistant Professors Dr. Arjun Sigdel, Pradeep Rana, and Subash Malla also shared their views on various aspects of entrepreneurship.