Jeetendra Ghimire | CEO, College Readers

The notion of “Study in Nepal” transcends the boundaries of a mere campaign slogan; it embodies a transformative vision designed to empower the nation’s youth while simultaneously elevating the country’s stature. However, for this vision to materialize, Nepal’s higher education system must undergo substantive reform, greater coordination, and sustained innovation. Unless universities, colleges, government agencies, and international partners operate in genuine harmony, the rhetoric of self-reliance in education will remain an unfulfilled aspiration.

A critical weakness of the current landscape is the conspicuous absence of coordination among domestic universities, their constituent and affiliated colleges, and foreign-affiliated institutions. Universities rarely engage in meaningful dialogue with their own colleges, neither to promote programmes nor to modernize curricula. Furthermore, they fail to interact effectively with stakeholders through workshops, seminars, or systematic outreach initiatives. Consequently, academic programmes remain outdated, irrelevant, or poorly publicized, leaving students unaware of their true scope or potential. Universities must, therefore, adopt a proactive stance: critically assessing the market viability of their programmes, aligning curricula with global standards, and promoting them with clarity, urgency, and conviction.

Equally problematic is the imbalance between domestic and foreign-affiliated colleges. While the latter often enjoy unrestricted flexibility in student intake, domestic colleges face stringent limitations that hinder their expansion. Such inconsistency fosters inequity and confusion. To rectify this, a robust, independent regulatory mechanism must be established to monitor both domestic and foreign institutions with fairness, pragmatism, and consistency. Universities, moreover, should allocate programmes and student quotas on the basis of institutional capacity and academic strength, rather than arbitrary restrictions. This would not only broaden opportunities for students but also enhance the credibility and competitiveness of Nepal’s higher education.

A further chronic issue is the rampant duplication of subjects and programmes across institutions. The indiscriminate proliferation of similar courses has resulted in an oversupply of graduates in certain fields while vital sectors remain underserved. The University Grants Commission (UGC) must therefore enforce stringent oversight, approving only those programmes that correspond to authentic national priorities. Simultaneously, the National Planning Commission must undertake rigorous research to forecast manpower requirements across sectors and direct universities to align accordingly. Such evidence-driven planning would guarantee that students graduating from Nepali institutions acquire degrees that are both relevant and employable.

Another indispensable reform is the institutionalization of earning while learning opportunities. If implemented through collaboration with government bodies, the corporate sector, and international organizations, such initiatives would provide students with financial support, practical exposure, and professional preparedness. Similarly, the introduction of inter-university credit transfer systems—both domestically and internationally—would allow students to pursue dual degrees and international exposure without leaving Nepal prematurely. At least up to the undergraduate level, students should be encouraged to remain in Nepal, since these formative years are crucial for nurturing ethical values, civic responsibility, and national pride.

Finally, scholarships abroad must be tied to accountability. Students benefiting from national or international funding should be required to return and serve Nepal for a stipulated period, ensuring that the nation benefits from its investment. Most importantly, the ethos of Study in Nepal must be cultivated from the school level, instilling in young learners the conviction that their own country can provide world-class education and meaningful opportunities.

For Nepal to empower its youth and elevate the nation, education must be reimagined as a coordinated, purposeful, and patriotic enterprise. The success of the campaign depends not on rhetoric but on the delivery of quality, equity, and unwavering national commitment.