Surya’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of education. Born into poverty in a village where education was a rare privilege, he walked 2.5 hours each day to attend school. At just 8 years old, he left his family to pursue education in Nepal’s capital. His path then took him to the United World College in Venezuela, the College of the Atlantic in Maine, and a Master’s Degree as a Schwarzman Scholar in China.

As the Director of UWS Nepal, Surya leads efforts in project development, government relations, and innovative education solutions. Before joining UWS, he co-founded Bloom Nepal Schools, a pioneering network focused on interest-based learning. Surya’s work has earned global recognition, including the Prince of Wales and UNILEVER Sustainable Living Young Entrepreneurs Award in 2014, and being named in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia in 2017, along with his recent recognition as an Earth Hero in 2024.

Surya’s passion for education and climate change drives his commitment to UWS Nepal. He believes that education is not only a powerful tool to combat poverty but also a means to equip communities for the climate challenges ahead. His life’s work is devoted to ensuring education is the pathway to a better, sustainable future for all.