Neel Krishna Tamrakar
Neel Krishna Tamrakar, a leading personality in the education field, is the Chairman at Martyr Memorial Institute of Science & Technology (MMIST), Chairman at Kathmandu School of Medical Technology (KSMT) and Chairman at Chakrabarti Habi Education Academy. MMIST offers an array of syllabi of Lab Technician, Radiography, Pharmacy, HA, PCL Nursing; KSMT is running CMLT and Radiography whereas Chakrabarti is running PCL Nursing, PBBN Nursing, B.Sc. Nursing and BPH.
Because of affordable fees, competent teachers and proper physical infrastructures, all three institutions have become first choice of many students. Students from more than 55 districts get enrolled every year. Excerpts:
Could you share with us the extant condition of health education in Nepal?
Health education is considered to be the best choice of the student in the recent days. But, the government has not given priority to health education. It has not given affiliation to private institutions for running health education as required. Due to this reason, a large number of students are compelled to go abroad for medical studies. In addition, the private-funded institutions are facing insurmountable problems due to discriminatory and suppressive policies of the government. There is propaganda that private education institutions have not been able to impart quality education in medical sector, but the students produced from private medical institutions have successfully passed the exams of the medical council and nursing council, which is a proof that private medical institutions have carved out a niche in the medical sector.
Could you possibly tell us about the policy of government for running medical educational institutions in Nepal? What is your notion with regard to the government decision?
The government has created big hurdles for private institutions that offer medical education and the policy has compelled each medical institution that it should construct a 100-bedded hospital to run a nursing campus for 40 seats. In my opinion, single hospital cannot fulfill the need of the medical sector only by establishing a hundred-bedded hospital for internship. For example, the students who have been studying neurology have to go to neurology hospital for practical classes. Similarly, students of gynecology and mental courses have to go to gynecology and mental hospitals for practical classes. We manage different hospitals for practical classes of our students as per their subjects. So, determining the criteria of only 100-bedded hospitals is not sufficient for practical classes for students of different subjects.
Your complicity in medical sector shows that you’ve had abundant experience, i.e. 15 years. Private sector has made invaluable contribution to medical education, but the government has not accepted it. How do you analyze this contradictory scenario?
Nepal has made breakthroughs in the field of medical sector because of the contributions of the private sector. Private sector institutions have been imparting globally acclaimed education at an affordable fee structure in the country, which has played a significant role in stopping students from going abroad in the name of quality education. Such contributions have also helped the country escalate its economic status. They have also generated numerous job opportunities for a large number of qualified and skilled human resources in the country, but the government has hesitated to acknowledge the contributions of the private sector. In addition, the government alleges private institutions that they are driven by profit motives rather than service oriented facilities to people; however, if we calculate the investment of government hospitals and their services provided to patients annually, it is higher than that of private hospitals, but the health services of the government hospitals are poorer in comparison to private hospitals. So, it is not justifiable for investors of private sector education who have made their invaluable and life-long contributions to the medical sector.
You have been actively engaged with three different institutions, namely MMIST, Chakrabarti and KSMT. How do you acknowledge the performance of the graduates of these institutions?
These institutions prepare qualified and skilled human resources annually that are quite necessary for the country to uplift its standard in health sector. Moreover, those graduates have shown the outstanding performance both in employment sector and job generation sector.
Our students are hired before their results are published. Job opportunities are very appealing. They do not need to worry about their job placement upon completing their course.
As chairperson, what are your upcoming programs that will surely bring academic reforms in these institutions?
We have planned to strengthen and extend the programs by increasing our investment and capacity. But, the government has created hurdles in smooth running of this institution. Our huge amount of money has become dormant due to the government policy; as a result, most private investors have become pessimistic.
What suggestions would you like to give SEE graduates and their parents?
A skill-based education is essential for leading a successful life. Technical and vocational education is job-oriented which makes an individual hopeful, skillful and confident with their sustainability. They can contribute to the society since they are skilled and efficient. So, I suggest all SEE graduates join educational institutions that offer vocational programs in order to secure an award-winning career.
