Founder & Managing Director
Ms. Shailaja Adhikary
Visionary educationist and entrepreneur
A dynamic and visionary entrepreneur, Ms. Shailaja Adhikary has spent close to three decades shaping education and design in Nepal. She began her working life as a banker at Grindlays Bank, holds an MBA in Marketing, and is pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration at Golden Gate University, California.
She introduced professional fashion and interior design education, and international primary education, to Nepal — founding IEC School of Art & Fashion in 1997, EuroKids Nepal in the mid-2000s, Euro School in 2008 and IEC College of Art & Fashion in 2009. In all she has established more than ten educational institutions.
Euro School opened with thirteen students and is today counted among the most trusted schools in Kathmandu. IEC produces hundreds of fashion and interior graduates every year, and its alumni have founded more than eight hundred fashion labels of their own.
25+
Years of excellence
10+
Institutions founded
800+
Labels founded by IECians
Bishalnagar, Kathmandu
Office
“Education is not just about imparting knowledge; it's about shaping futures, building confidence, and creating opportunities. Every student who walks through our doors carries dreams, and it is our responsibility to nurture those dreams into reality.”
Founder of
- IEC School of Art & Fashion — 1997
- EuroKids Nepal — an international pre-school chain
- Euro School — 2008, a progressive top-ten trusted school
- IEC College of Art & Fashion — 2009
Awards & recognition
- Great Women of the 21st Century — American Biographical Institute, USA
- Educational Excellence Award — IIT New Delhi, India
- Best Women Entrepreneur — New Biz Conclave and Awards 2013, Nepal
- National Award for Excellence in Education — PSCWA of India
- Global Women Achievers — World Women Leadership Congress, India
- Rastriya Nari Samman 2074 and 2075, Nepal
- WOW Women Achievers Award 2025, Nepal
- Among the Top 30 Influential Women Entrepreneurs to watch in 2025 — NY Weekly
- International Gold Quality Award (USA) 2003 — IEC School of Art & Fashion
- Asian Top Fashion Organization of the Year 2016 and Best Brand Leadership Award 2018 — IEC College of Art & Fashion
Memberships
- Nepal India Chamber of Commerce & Industry — Co-Convener, Education and Human Capital
- Executive Member, Nepal Swiss Chamber of Commerce
- Executive Member, Nepal Britain Chamber of Commerce
- Member, Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI)
- Member, Zonta Club (Zonta International)
- Vice President, Quality Kathmandu Schools (QKS)
- General Secretary, International Education Providers Association of Nepal
Beyond the classroom
- Active contributor to social causes across Nepal
- Works with local bodies and non-governmental organisations on education and development projects
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