Citizens Bank MAN Nepal MBA Award: Top Student, Purbanchal University
8th May 2025, Kathmandu
Citizens Bank International Limited has partnered with the Management Association of Nepal (MAN) to launch a new award for outstanding MBA students. This joint initiative is aimed at encouraging academic excellence among students of management.
Citizens Bank MAN Nepal MBA Award
The two institutions have agreed to introduce the “MAN–Citizens Aspiring Manager Award”. This award will go to the best-performing MBA student at Purbanchal University. A formal agreement was signed on Baisakh 25, 2082 (May 8, 2025), during a program held at the MAN office in Kathmandu.
On behalf of Citizens Bank, CEO Mr. Ganesh Raj Pokharel signed the agreement. MAN President Mr. Mohan Raj Ojha signed on behalf of the association.
This new award will be given each year and carries a cash prize of NPR 51,000. Citizens Bank will fund the award annually and serve as the official sponsor.
Selection and Timing of the Award
The selection process will follow a merit-based system. A joint committee will be formed to pick the winner. Members of this committee will represent Citizens Bank, MAN, and Purbanchal University.
The award will be presented during MAN’s Management Convention every year in the Nepali month of Magh. Organizers hope this recognition will inspire students to excel in their academic and leadership paths.
Citizens Bank Strengthens Educational Support
Citizens Bank stated that this step aligns with its mission to support youth education and leadership in Nepal. The bank believes the award will motivate students to pursue excellence and enhance the management sector’s overall quality.
By collaborating with MAN and Purbanchal University, Citizens Bank is helping build a stronger connection between the academic and professional worlds.
Global Recognition and Innovative Services
Recently, Citizens Bank achieved international recognition by winning the “Bank of the Year 2024” award. This global honor marks a milestone in the bank’s commitment to innovation and customer service.
Citizens Bank has also introduced several firsts in Nepal’s financial sector. In partnership with PhonePe, it launched the “Citizens PhonePe Credit Card,” the country’s first fully virtual credit card. This product is designed for tech-savvy users who prefer digital transactions.
In addition, Citizens Bank is the first bank in Nepal to allow users to apply for shares and receive their CRN number directly through the mobile banking app. This feature has made stock-related services more accessible for the average customer.
Wide Reach and Customer Base
The bank’s services now extend to all corners of Nepal. Citizens Bank operates across 61 districts, providing modern banking through:
200 branches
168 ATMs
3 extended counters
74 branchless banking units
As of now, the bank serves over 1.886 million customers. With such a wide presence, Citizens Bank is committed to delivering reliable and efficient banking services.
Strengthening the Future of Management Education
Through this award, Citizens Bank aims to contribute to Nepal’s educational development. The bank hopes the initiative will help produce skilled, ethical, and capable managers for the country.
The MAN–Citizens Aspiring Manager Award is expected to create healthy competition among students. It also provides a platform for recognizing and rewarding leadership potential in the academic world.
MAN believes that this initiative will help bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills. At the same time, it will promote leadership traits and business ethics among young graduates.
More Than Banking
Citizens Bank’s focus goes beyond traditional banking. The bank is increasingly investing in education, technology, and social development. It continues to introduce solutions that benefit both the economy and society.
Officials at MAN praised the bank’s initiative. They said that such partnerships play an important role in shaping future leaders.
Moving Forward
Applications and nominations for the first edition of the award will open later this year. Interested students from MBA programs under Purbanchal University will be eligible to apply.
The award is a part of a broader vision to promote academic success and create leadership pipelines for Nepal. Citizens Bank, through such initiatives, is taking steps to link corporate responsibility with national development.
This joint effort between Citizens Bank and MAN reflects a shared commitment to build a stronger, smarter, and more empowered generation of Nepali professionals.
For more: Citizens Bank MAN Nepal MBA Award