Prof. Hirendra Man Pradhan
Prof. Er. Hirendra Man Pradhan, who is leading Kathmandu Engineering College as the Principal/Chairman, deeply wanted to study management course before joining an engineering college. As he attained his SLC and I.Sc. qualifications with good marks, he was compelled to choose engineering field for further studies. Having started a teaching career from Pulchowk Engineering Campus in 2035 BS, he has been working in the field of engineering education for the past 41 years.
Kathmandu Engineering College, established in 1998 AD in affiliation to Tribhuvan University, is the first ISO: 9001:2008 certified college in Nepal. The college has always embarked on academic growth of its pupils since its inception. It has reached this level after overcoming insurmountable hurdles for its hard-earned legacy. At present, this college has ensconced itself to be one of the reputed colleges in imparting engineering education in Nepal that offers five engineering courses: BE in Electronics, BE in Computer, BE in Architecture, BE in Electrical and BE in Civil.
His experience shows that those students who get meditation for at least half an hour every day have done well in their study. Considering the strength of meditation in increasing the memory power, Er. Pradhan has introduced yoga and meditation at Kathmandu Engineering College which has immensely supported students to be disciplined and obedient. When students develop appealing demeanor in them, they automatically witness academic progresses. The following conversation is based on Er. Pradhan’s views on the importance of discipline and meditation for student’s life in order to succeed in their study. Excerpts:
Since you’ve completed an almost-four-decade academic journey of engineering education, what differences have you found between past and present times for those who wanted to become engineers? Which period, do you think, seemed more challenging for engineering graduates in Nepal?
It’s as challenging for a career hopeful to become an engineer today as it was in the past. Similarly, there were many prospects in civil engineering in terms of availability of jobs which are still the same at the present context. There were only few branches in engineering education in the past, but the engineering sphere has been largely widened. As far as the demand of engineers in the global market is concerned, it is growing significantly in the various intervals of time.
You have gained a long experience in the sector of engineering education. How do you analyze the prevalent prospects of engineering education in Nepal?
Engineering education in Nepal is of high quality in terms of its curricula and teaching pedagogies. In this regard, the curricula of Nepalese engineering programs are as advanced as that of universities in developed countries. In fact, while analyzing its contract hours, a total of 4200-4500 contract hours is in Nepal whereas it is around 3000 at foreign universities. Similarly, regarding the fee structure of engineering education in Nepal, it is twice as low as the fee structure at foreign universities. In addition, Nepalese engineering colleges have been able to produce highly qualified engineers who can compete in the global arena. As per the data of engaged Nepalese engineers in the world, they are working at various reputed companies in developed countries, such as the USA, Australia, Canada and so on.
What are the distinct features of Kathmandu engineering college?
Kathmandu engineering college is a well-recognized and widely trusted college for engineering education. The college focuses on meditation and counseling. Similarly, it encourages the students to maintain their regularity and develop concentration on study. Another distinct feature of this college is that it has made proper division of work amid its human resources. A total of 55 staff members (teaching and non-teaching) are actively working here to achieve the goals set by the institution.
Private engineering institutions are severely blamed, for their program fees are extortionate which common Nepalese people cannot afford. How do you exonerate yourself of this allegation?
Private engineering educational institutions have made significant contributions to the preparation of qualified engineers in Nepal through scholarship privileges for higher study. Therefore, it seems a little costlier than the programs run by the government-funded institutions as the government invests a huge amount annually for those programs. In fact, on the basis of investment, engineering education in a private college is relatively cheaper than that of governmental institution. It is obvious that if the government is able to run academic institutions with full capacity, private institutions will naturally disappear. And we do not have to forget the purpose of the establishment of private institutions in Nepal. That is, government funded institutions are not efficient enough to produce qualified human resources. So, it is unreasonable to allege private investors as academic mafias, rather their contributions should be acknowledged positively by the government.
People say there is a huge drop-out problem in engineering education in Nepal. What is your view regarding this problem and what suggestions would you like to give as a gateway?
Most parents in Nepal want to see their children grow as engineers or doctors which are the most prestigious titles in the Nepalese context. Due to this reason, most students join engineering education due to the pressure of their parents. As a result, they discontinue their study abruptly. So, if any students want to embark on the engineering career, they should first analyze their interest and capacity. Similarly, the government should make the policy of completing the first year education to be eligible for the third year course compulsorily. This provision can help minimize the drop-out rate as it compels them to perform well in the examinations.
In your opinion, what quality or qualities of students ensure(s) their right decision for engineering education?
Students should have strong commitment to cope with challenges and obstacles that come across the path to the successful completion of engineering education. In other words, they should have strong will power to be an engineer. Similarly, they should have strong mathematical knowledge. The college ought to provide proper guidance and impart quality education through the faculty of qualified teachers. Meditation and discipline are intertwined and are inseparable that usher students’ capacity in achieving a success.
It is alleged that engineering students do not have any sort of discipline and good behavior as they are out-of-control from college administration and parents. In your opinion, what are the effective ways to maintain discipline among them?
Discipline can be maintained through meditation and yoga. The college should motivate its students to do meditation and yoga which develop their capacity and will power for self-control. Similarly, regularity and concentration are integral parts of a success. These all come under the discipline. Therefore, students should realize their weaknesses by evaluating their activities which eventually help them maintain quality in their conduct.
You believe meditation and yoga make students disciplined and they can make progress in study. In your opinion, what should be done for implementing meditation and yoga classes in all academic institutions across the country?
First of all, all academic institutions and its management team should realize the need of meditation and yoga. Similarly, the students, teachers, parents, academic institutions and the nations should realize the need of it. The teachers and the management should motivate the students to do yoga and meditation for developing self-control and self-discipline in them. The practice of meditation and yoga should be implemented in every sector as a campaign which eventually make learners self-controlled and disciplined.
What suggestions would you like to give ten-plus-two graduates regarding their right choice of subject in the bachelor level?
I suggest students that they should assess their aptitude, learning capacity and caliber before choosing a right subject in bachelor level. In addition, their choice should satisfy their inquisitiveness. Similarly, students who want to be engineers in the future should choose the specific discipline of engineering program.
