Pokhara Engineering College: Assurance of sustainability, confidence and skills for learners

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Lekh Gurung

Lekh Bahadur Gurung

Pokhara Engineering College, since its inception, has been attempting many possible steps to get into technical solutions of even common problems. Currently, it offers courses: BE Computer, BE Civil, BE Electronics and Communication, B. Architecture, affiliated to Pokhara University and Diploma courses: Civil Engineering, Electronics Engineering and Computer Engineering, affiliated to CTEVT.

Lekh Bahadur Gurung is the founder principal at Pokhara Engineering College. His continuous efforts to persuade every employee and student contribute to Pokhara Engineering College that result in receiving the perfect recognition in national and international universities, companies, and research organizations. Excerpts:

Could you state your view on the programs run by the CTEVT?

All the programs of CTEVT are vocational and technical which develop skill and confidence of learners. Pokhara Engineering College has contributed significantly to producing middle level skilled human resources to fulfill the lacunae of health sector in the nation. However, the government has not created such an environment for the private sector that could run CTEVT programs easily. It has created insurmountable confusion in its policies regarding the matter of running CTEVT programs by private sector. The government should create an amicable environment for private sector which runs technical and vocational programs accredited by CTEVT. If the private sector is heartily welcomed by the government after preparing a friendly environment and giving assurance of their investment, there is no doubt that we can see technical and vocational education bloom in the country. In the context of Nepal, the demand of medium level technical human resources is incredibly high.

The federal education law is the process of attaining maturity before implementation. On the other hand, the medical law is being prepared to have TSLC programs eliminated. Do you think it is possible?

I don’t think there will be immediate implementation of this law since there are myriads challenges for the government to overcome. Rather the government should create alternative pathways to secure the investment of the private sector. Similarly, the government should ensure the provision of medical doctors at local levels of all the provinces. As of today, medium level human resources, such as HA, CMA, PCL Nurse have been serving people in rural areas. Similarly, there is a significant contribution of JT and JTA to agriculture sector. The overseers are providing services to people of local level. If the TSLC program is immediately phased out, a huge crisis of medium level technical human resources will persist whose mature shape would be really appalling. Therefore, the government should guarantee the investment of private investors before embarking on the elimination of TSLC programs. Similarly, the government should give appropriate alternatives to TSLC replacement.

The government has prepared an ambitious plan to provide 70% of technical education and only 30% non-technical education to students across the country. However, the government has not provided opportunity to manifest its plan by the private sector. In such maelstrom, is it possible to crystallize the government’s plan?

A plan cannot be crystallized through mesmerizing speeches rather it should be implemented by allocating budget and preparing all the required infrastructures needed for running technical educational institutions. Private sector has been contributing a lot in producing medium level technical human resources, but the government is not ready to appreciate their contributions. So, the government should extend the hand of cooperation to the private sector to materialize the plan of providing technical education to 70% of students of the country. Similarly, a large amount of budget should be allocated for this sector. The management and passion of private sector is found more effective than that of government-funded institutions. If the government formulates inviting environment for the private sector, the technical education will embrace a wide demand, but in my view, only giving cheap speeches do not pull the attention of investors and stakeholders.

Could you share with us the contributions of your institution to the escalation of technical education in Nepal?

We offer computing and civil engineering programs. All our products have shown jaw-dropping performances in job-landing sectors. In addition, they are paying service to the grass root level of people of Nepal, to whom even basic health facilities are rare privileges. Most of our graduates are involved in different kinds of jobs and vocations. In other words, they are not dilly-dallying in search of job opportunities.

What suggestions would you like to give SEE students and their parents/guardians?

Technical education is life-changing and rare. In other words, it is a skill-based and promising education which makes an individual independent, confident and globally saleable. In this regard, technical, vocational and skilled human resources have high demand in the country and beyond. So, I request all guardians that they should invest their money in their children’s technical education rather than squandering it for general education. Similarly, I suggest SEE graduates they pay a visit to our college and decide on the life-enhancing technical education.  

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