When I look at Nepal’s higher education landscape, I see both challenges and opportunities. As the President of the International Education Provider Association of Nepal (IEPAN), I am proud of the progress we have made in delivering international-standard education. If we were not meeting global standards, parents and students would not continue to place their trust in us. Today, around 34,458 students are enrolled in IEPAN-affiliated institutions. This makes us the third-largest contributor to Nepal’s higher education sector after Tribhuvan University and Pokhara University—larger even than Kathmandu University and Purbanchal University.

Enrollment is one indicator of trust, but graduate placement is an even stronger measure of success. Our affiliated institutions boast an average placement rate of over 90%, higher than the global average. This is proof not only of the caliber of our students but also of the quality of the education we provide.

Yet, despite these achievements, I cannot deny the reality: nearly 125,000 Nepali students leave the country every year for higher education abroad. This massive outflow affects all of us, from domestic universities to foreign-affiliated colleges like ours. It is a national challenge that drains our financial and human capital. According to Nepal Rastra Bank, students spent 138 billion rupees abroad for education last year alone, and if we include unofficial transfers through hundi, the real number is likely three to four times higher.

Why is this happening? The simple answer is a lack of confidence in Nepal’s education system. Too many students and parents believe that quality can only be found abroad. But often, students do not end up in the prestigious universities they initially apply to. Many shift to community colleges in the U.S. or vocational diplomas in Australia and Canada. They work long hours to survive, compromising their academic focus. Some even fail to complete their studies. Clearly, the rush to leave is not always about education—it is about migration.

Instead of blaming one another—foreign-affiliated versus domestic universities—we must work together to strengthen Nepal’s higher education.

Breaking the Myths About Foreign-Affiliated Colleges

A common misconception is that foreign-affiliated colleges can admit unlimited students, creating “unfair competition.” This is not true. Enrollment is strictly regulated. Our affiliating universities abroad set intake limits based on our infrastructure—classrooms, libraries, labs, and faculty. Additionally, Nepal’s Ministry of Education inspects and approves these numbers annually, ensuring we meet standards such as student–faculty ratios.

If domestic universities feel constrained, the problem lies not with us but with systemic issues in how Tribhuvan, Pokhara, and Kathmandu Universities set quotas. The real question we should be asking is: how do we collectively improve quality so students are motivated to stay in Nepal?

Quality Comes at a Cost—but at a Fraction of Abroad

Another frequent criticism is that foreign-affiliated programs are more expensive. Yes, our fees are higher than domestic universities, but they are far lower compared to studying abroad. For example, at Westcliff University in the U.S., a four-year IT degree costs around $86,000. The same program offered through our Presidential Graduate School in Nepal costs just about 1.5 million rupees (around $11,000). That’s less than one-fourth of the U.S. price, while still offering students full access to curriculum, case studies, assignments, feedback, and evaluations—exactly as delivered in the parent university.

This is not symbolic affiliation. Our students undergo rigorous international-level assessment, including plagiarism checks and thesis reviews. They graduate with the same degree and recognition as if they had studied abroad—without leaving their families or burdening them with overwhelming costs.

The Bigger Challenge: Lack of Investment and Research

Despite these positive aspects, I must acknowledge the biggest challenge Nepal faces: lack of investment in higher education. Nepal spends only about 87–88 billion rupees annually on higher education, most of which goes into salaries and allowances. Very little is invested in research or knowledge production. For context, Harvard University alone runs on an annual budget of $8 billion—almost equivalent to Nepal’s total national income.

Without investment in research, we cannot produce new knowledge, inspire innovation, or assure global quality. Some Nepali scholars manage to publish in prestigious journals like Nature, but these are isolated achievements. Systematically, our universities remain dependent on imported curricula and borrowed models. Exam delays and outdated syllabi further damage student confidence.

The culture of learning itself also needs reform. Too many students and educators look for shortcuts, rather than cultivating deep knowledge. We must change this mindset if we are to compete globally.

Towards a “Study in Nepal” Future

This is why we have championed the “Study in Nepal” campaign. Although we run foreign-affiliated programs, 99% of our students are Nepali. We believe Nepal can become not just a destination for its own students but also for international students—if we address policy bottlenecks.

Currently, foreign students face a complicated visa process. They must arrive on tourist visas, pay fees, and then reapply each year. This is impractical. We have proposed establishing a “Study in Nepal Board” under the Ministry of Education, with participation from immigration, foreign affairs, universities, and affiliated institutions. The board would set quality benchmarks and promote Nepal as an education hub abroad.

Nepal has unique advantages we can build on:

• Affordable international-degree programs.
• Buddhist studies centered in Lumbini.
• Adventure tourism and mountain studies.
• Ayurveda, yoga, and natural therapies.
• Sanskrit and Vedic education.
• Forestry and community management.
• Strong medicine and engineering programs through KU and TU.

With the right reforms and global promotion, Nepal could attract thousands of international students in the next decade.

My Call to Action

At the end of the day, the future of higher education in Nepal depends on all stakeholders—universities, colleges, government, parents, and students. We must:

• Increase investment in research and innovation.
• Reform curricula and teaching methodologies.
• Build confidence by linking education to employment opportunities.
• Promote Nepal as a global education destination.

If we succeed, we can reduce the outflow of students and capital, strengthen our economy, and even bring foreign students here. My vision is simple: Nepal should not just be a country that sends students abroad. It should be a country where students from around the world come to learn.