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Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed his opinion that higher education in Nepal presents significant challenges.
Speaking at a conference of university vice-chancellors on 'Uniformity in the Standard of Higher Education and Internationalization' held in Dhulikhel, Kavrepalanchok today, he emphasized the need for attention to be directed towards developing the physical and digital infrastructure required for providing higher education.
PM Dahal highlighted the dual challenge faced by the country: the necessity for substantial investments in physical and digital infrastructure, skilled human resources, and employment opportunities to offer quality technical and vocational higher education; and the trend of capable youths, educated with national investments, choosing to study abroad.
He noted that the lack of a sufficient number of students enrolling in universities amid the increasing number of universities has created a crisis in Nepal. The Prime Minister called on universities operating on government grants to view this challenge as an opportunity. He described the gathering of university counterparts as a new initiative.
PM Dahal mentioned that the global landscape of university education has entered an era of unprecedented research, investigation, and innovation. He urged the need for Nepal to transform itself to compete globally and stressed that efforts to raise the standard of higher education to a world-class level are crucial to prevent the exodus of Nepali youths seeking education abroad.
The Prime Minister emphasized the shared responsibility of the state, intellectual circles, educational institutions, and individuals in changing the current situation. He suggested prioritizing studies on Yoga science, naturopathy, mountain ecology, climate change, Buddhist education, oriental sculpture, and philosophy in higher education curricula.
PM Dahal acknowledged that efforts to connect entrepreneurship and the 'start-up ecosystem' to the education system, government policy, and potential areas of investment are yet to yield tangible results. He lauded the decision to grant the University Grants Commission the authority to determine standards for equivalency in higher education.
While emphasizing the need for collaboration among universities in curriculum development, examination systems, establishment of labs, and publication of research-based journals, the Prime Minister proposed the creation of policy-level and structural infrastructure to position Nepal as a hub for higher education.
He expressed the impracticality of the Prime Minister serving as an ex-officio Chancellor of all universities and suggested seeking an alternative without political intervention.
PM Dahal stressed the importance of clear policies for measuring and monitoring the quality and education standards of provincial-level universities before challenges arise.
He urged universities to adapt to regional and global changes in higher education studies and advised leadership at various levels in universities to seriously enhance the quality of education.
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