Nawaraj Pandey
President, OPEN
Nawaraj Pandey— the Managing Director of Nobel Academy and Chairperson of Nobel College— has been elected the President of Organization of Pokhara University Educational Institutions-Nepal (OPEN) unanimously from the 9th Convention held in Kathmandu. He is also the Senior Vice President of Higher Institution and Secondary Schools’ Association- Nepal (HISSAN). He joined OPEN as vice president six years ago where he has successfully accomplished two terms as senior vice president.
The OPEN is the umbrella organization of private educational institutions, affiliated to Pokhara University. Although as many as 58 colleges are Pokhara University affiliates, a total of 42 colleges are the members of this organization. The newly elected OPEN president, Nawaraj Pandey has committed that he would show his sterling efforts in strengthening OPEN and maintaining a good camaraderie with the University. In addition, he is also committed to solving the problem with ‘D+’ Grade which is neither in favor of the university and its affiliates nor in favor of the students.
Mr. Pandey was born on 16th Magh, 2028 BS in Pokhare of Bhojpur district. He attained his SLC in 2044 BS from Biratnagar. Subsequently, he arrived in Kathmandu to pursue his master’s degree upon completing his B.Com. from Biratnagar. No sooner had he joined a college for master’s course in Kathmandu than he started facing myriads of challenges. But he didn’t waste a single day dilly-dallying in search of job opportunities as he commenced a tuition center in Putalisadak with a team of his five like-minded friends. In a very short time, the tuition center earned its commercial boost and popularity among the students who got a privilege of receiving an award-winning supplementary education. This cherishing success was possible due to his noble ideas, soft voice, equity among students and a cheerful face.
Mr. Pandey has a habit of doing something maiden in life in cooperation with friends. His bosom friends like Surendra Shrestha, ……………….…………always followed his footsteps; as a result, they are still together to accomplish any complicated tasks.
In his initiation, Nobel Academy was founded in 1998 AD which was the fertile time for investing in higher education. Nobel Academy was the only institution that imparted quality education, especially in ten-plus-two programs. It was established as a plus two school, but now it has become a big institution which runs an array of course choices from Class One to Class 12 under its own state-of-the-art infrastructure in New Baneshwor. Professionally, the establishment of Nobel Academy was his first successful step to venture into academic arena that brought him both fame and fortune.
Nobel Academy is the pioneering educational institution. In addition, Nobel College, the leading and pioneering health college, affiliated to Pokhara University, is the extension of Nobel Academy which was founded in 2001 AD. It offers the largest number of programs in Nepal and owns a hospital in Sinamangal, Kathmandu that has ………beds. Another hospital is under construction in Battisputali, which will be completed this year. In addition, the college is acclaimed as one of the top-notch colleges for management and health programs across the nation. “The college has produced more than 20000 students, so, we are proud that no graduates are dilly-dallying in search of jobs. Most of them have convincing jobs, and a few are entrepreneurs”, he says.
Nobel College is the first Pokhara University affiliate. Since the beginning of college establishment, it has been contributing immensely for uplifting the status of the University and strengthening its programs. Mr. Pandy says Nobel College is committed to providing quality education relevant for Nepal’s future managers, entrepreneurs, IT specialists and health professionals. It has been running management courses in: BBA, BCIS, BHCM and BBA-BI; BPH, B.Sc. Nursing, B.Sc. Medical Bio-chemistry, B.Sc. Medical Microbiology, BSc.MLT, B. Pharm. and MPH affiliated to Pokhara University. It also offers Diploma in Pharmacy, affiliated to CTEVT.
About 5000 students are studying at the Nobel Umbrella Organization.
His involvement in Rajdhani Model College and Citizen College also indicates that his compassion for serving the nation is immense and commendable.
Since you have been involved in the academic sector in Nepal for the past 24 years, how do you analyze the present situation of higher education in Nepal?
While comparing academic situation of Nepal with that of other countries, it is not satisfactory. For an instance, although South Korea has a population of around 40 million people, it has around 400 universities. Similarly, the population of Mangolia is around 4-5 million, but it has more than 40 universities. So, in order to spread convincing impacts of higher education on learners, the country needs more universities and those universities should ensure multidisciplinary programs. We need more than 100 universities for the escalation of education status of higher level human resources. In addition, in order to enhance quality of education and to produce a considerable number of qualified human resources, the government should bring the concept of private university and encourage entrepreneurs like us to invest in academic sector. Moreover, the government should bring the convincing educational policies for strengthening and promoting academic status of the nation. Without strengthening the academic status of Nepal, it is not possible to achieve prosperity. Nepalese private sector can compete world-wide in terms of quality education if the government ensures the security of our investment and encourage more numbers of investors in education. The government should extend cooperation with the private sector in order to produce highly qualified technical workforce for rapid social and academic reformation.
Pokhara University has denied enrolling students in bachelor level who have secured Grade ‘D+’ in ten-plus-two program. Being the president of OPEN and owner of a college that is affiliated to Pokhara University, you and OPEN itself have expressed strong dissatisfaction over the decision of the University. In such a situation, what efforts have you made to solve this problem?
We have strongly raised our voice against the decision of the University. In addition, we have also unraveled our dissatisfaction through delegation. We have shown our curiosity to the University for its decision. Similarly, we have requested the PM and the Minister for Education for solving such a problem which is appallingly persisting. Other universities have granted admission even for D+ graded students, and it is unjust for us to deny taking admission for bachelor program by the Pokhara University for the same grade. I hope the University will consider and acknowledge our request positively and take necessary step for solving the problem. I am confident that the cooperation of the leadership of the University and our efforts can give an edge to successful implementation of our proposal.
Although most academic rules and norms are similar among all the universities of Nepal, Pokhara University has shown anomalous behavior not to enroll students with ‘D+’ Grade in bachelor level program. What would be the role of OPEN in resolving this issue?
Pokhara University has adopted all educational policies and rules that are similar to that of the Tribhuvan University, but in the case of ‘D+’ graded students, it has adopted an anomalous policy which is neither justifiable for students and nor beneficial for the University. In such a case, the OPEN plays a significant role in resolving all of these problems. We have been trying our best to solve such problems through negotiation and dialogues, and we hope this conundrum will be solved very soon since the Prime Minister himself and the Education Minister have taken our petition positively. In addition, I am also hopeful that the University will amend its policy and find out the solution without further delay. We’ve requested that the University should consider this as a big hurdle in the educational arena and should seek a gateway to give justice to its students. If the University unravels this problem, it will be destructive for it, too; however, we are optimistic about such a problem that will be resolved by the University very soon in order to exonerate itself of public backlash.
As president of OPEN what challenges have you witnessed for smooth operation of this organization?
The OPEN is the umbrella organization of all the private colleges affiliated to Pokhara University in Nepal. So, it has an important responsibility to maintain equilibrium by establishing cordial relationship between the private colleges and the University. Due to the anomalous policy of the University, which deprives students with the grade D+ of getting admission, the number of students seeking for admission in Pokhara University affiliate colleges has appallingly plummeted. So, it has become an arduous challenge for the OPEN to solve this issue since a case has already been filed in the court. Another challenge adheres to enrollment of students who have obtained the Grade ‘D+’ for the new academic session in management stream. Other challenges are to develop OPEN as a strong guardian of all Pokhara University affiliates in terms of economic source and assist the University for the completion of examinations as per its schedules.
Could you share with us your journey from being an academician up to the president of OPEN?
Nobel Academy is one of Pokhara University affiliated colleges. The status of the University can be strengthened when there is a good relationship with its affiliates. Acknowledging this fact, OPEN was established so that it could play a better role of interlocutor between the University and its affiliates. I entered this organization as vice president some 6-7 years back. In addition, I have already accomplished my task as senior vice president twice. Currently, I am the president of OPEN. So, my journey to OPEN is about seven years old, and I am extremely glad to be part of it.
You are senior vice president of HISSAN, too. The HISSAN has adopted the policy of bringing all the private academic institutions (from higher education up to university level) under its grip. What are your efforts that underpin this goal?
I am senior vice president of the HISSAN, so, it is natural to work painstakingly to bring strong and effective policies for the organization that help us bring rapid transformation in the education system in Nepal. We are going to bring all the private academic institutions under the broader concept of HISSAN. Similarly, we are also working diligently to bring the like-minded organizations, such as OPEN, under the leadership of HISSAN. This could be true the members of HISSAN are working scrupulously to bring all private academic institutions of Nepal under the framework of HISSAN.
Is there anything that Pokhara University affiliated colleges should improve?
All colleges should fulfill the given criteria and abide by the rules and regulations of the University strictly. They should fulfill the criteria set by the University in a period of five years. We are fully committed to maintaining the set priorities and criteria of the University. In my view, most of the Pokhara University affiliated colleges have recruited qualified human resources and are imparting quality education, but some institutions are showing mediocre performance in terms of their physical infrastructure. So, the OPEN will play a significant role in manifesting the University criteria by extending amicable coordination to its member institutions.
What are the traits of Pokhara University?
Pokhara University is a fast growing and widely trusted university of Nepal. It has maintained globally acclaimed curricula. In addition, it has maintained a good camaraderie among its affiliated and constituent campuses. The graduates of Pokhara University are capable enough to compete in the global setting. In addition, its exam system is worthy of appreciation. The OPEN will extend cooperation to the University for academic reformation and fraternity.
Based on your experience what are the areas of improvement for Pokhara University?
Pokhara University should revise and update its curricula in a timely manner by analyzing global trends and requisites. Similarly, while updating and revising the curricula, and introducing new programs, the university should co-ordinate with the concerned stakeholders. On the other hand, as a dark side of Nepalese education system, unnecessary strikes and anti-academic activities are increasing in the University premises. So, the University should take necessary steps to maintain a pure academic environment in its premises.
What message would you like to convey at last?
I strongly proclaim that all the universities of Nepal should come under the same frameworks, which incorporate broader rules, regulations and standard. In fact, the Chancellor of all the universities in Nepal is the same person which does not seem appropriate for adopting different policies and formulating acts differently. Similarly, the government should extend its cooperation to private educational institutions for the prosperity of the country. In addition, the government should acknowledge the remarkable contributions of private sector to the enhancement of quality of education in Nepal.
