How do you analyze the existing educational trends in Nepal?
The Covid-19 pandemic globally affected the entire human life, and education sector could not have been the exception. It created countless challenges in the education sector of developing countries like Nepal. Particularly, public campuses running in remote places were adversely affected due to its insufficient means and resources. Most of the students studying in public campuses are from remote places and from lower- middle economic class. They have not sufficient access to means and resources for the technological approach. So, we (respective public campuses and public campus association) made combined efforts to cope with the pandemic and came to conclusion to run online classes through Zoom. It was proved partially effective, then we concentrated on increasing the access to technology. In the initial phase, we started online class on zoom, and later on MS Teams. The online class is now one of the effective alternatives resulting in Nepal’s entry to the new era of technologies.
During the initial phase of Covid-19 pandemic, there many big hurdles to most public campuses to run online classes. What was the condition of Janapriya Multiple Campus amid such pandemic threats and crises?
Janapriya Multiple Campus is a QAA certified campus by the University Grant Commission. It has been running academic programs, such as 10+2 programs (HSEB affiliated) Management, Education, Humanities and Science. Similarly, BSc., BBA, BMTM, BIM, BBSM, BA and BEd. are TU affiliated bachelor level programs. The campus imparts MBS and MBA in Hospitality Management which are also TU affiliated master’s level programs. The campus has been awarded twice by the Ministry of Education for its academic excellence. We have well-equipped ICT and computer lab and highly experienced technical human resources. So, it was convenient for us to run online classes in comparison to other public campuses. Even in the initial phase, the classes were proved effective for the semester-based system, but it was partially successful for the students of yearly based academic programs since most students in yearly programs were from remote places where the internet facility was inaccessible. So, there were only around 30% students attending the virtual classes. We, therefore, supplied books from the library and the videos of the virtual classes to the students who were deprived of receiving virtual classes. Due to our utmost efforts, the percentage of the students reached nearly 90-100% in semester-wise classes and around 40% in annual basis classes.
Amid the existing threats of the Covid 19 pandemic, the University conducted the exams physically, and HSEB also conducted the physical board exams successfully. What are your plans concerning such circumstances?
The decision and the initiation of the University are praiseworthy. Since the TU evaluation system is worldwide acclaimed, the exams should be conducted smoothly and should be ethically fair. As a TU affiliate campus, began to run physical classes since 10th Kartik 2078, and we conducted terminal examinations in the physical presence of students too. If necessary, we are prepared to conduct virtual exams as well.
Janapriya Multiple Campus is one of the leading public campuses in Nepal. It has been running BMTM and MBA in Hospitality Management as autonomous programs. Could you please highlight the traits of these programs so that we and our readers will get an explicit idea about them?
As you come to know that Janapriya Multiple Campus is a national level and QAA certified campus, it has been imparting quality education since its inception. So, it’s our prime duty to contribute to the nation by imparting hands-on education. We have introduced autonomous tourism-based programs too. It is true that tourism industry incorporates a wide range of prospects in the context of Nepal, but there is a dire shortage of skilled human resources in this field. Considering the fact, we are running BMTM and MBA in Hospitality Management with a view to prepare skilled human resources, especially for the tourism industry. These are service-oriented standalone top level and newly launched programs. BMTB is an 8-semester bachelor level program, and currently the first batch is studying in the 8th semester. Similarly, there are only 25 seats available for an intake in MBA Hospitality Management program. We have successfully produced first batch and the second batch students are studying right now.
You are one of the responsible people of Public Campus Association, and the ultimate motive of the association was to establish a separate public university. At the same time, the government is spearheading the concept of provincial university. In such a situation, is the association committed to fulfilling its objective or ready to comply with the government’s concept of provincial university?
We are fully committed to solidifying our vision and accomplishing the mission. So, we do not have any plans to be a part of any provincial universities leaving the existing TU affiliation. In this regard, we will not get deterred from the TU affiliation until our mission is accomplished.
What plans and strategies do you have to cope with the challenge of unprecedented epidemics and pandemics like Covid-19 in the future?
The main source of income of the public campus is only the trust of the public and the students. So, Janapriya Multiple Campus always works for the holistic development of the students. We have got a deep epiphany of the pandemic and are fully aware of any kinds of similar pandemic in the future. So, we have prepared an alternative solution to combat with the crisis. Currently, our campus is well-equipped with technological advancements for techno-based classes in the long run.
At last, what message would you like to convey to the graduates of grade 12 and their guardians as Campus Chief of Janapriya Multiple Campus?
First, I would like to express my heartiest congratulations to the HSEB graduates on their grand achievement. I would like to request them to pay a visit to our campus. We are eager to welcome you to our college for the study of BMTM which has high prospects in the context of Nepal, also for pursuing a general course to ensure your appealing career.
