Nawaraj Pandey, serving as the President of the Organization of Pokhara University Educational Institutions-Nepal (OPEN), holds the position of Senior Vice President at the Higher Institutions and Secondary Schools' Association-Nepal (HISSAN) and serves as the Chairman of Nobel College. Since the inception of Pokhara University, an initiative has been launched to unite various private schools and colleges in collaboration with universities. The goal is to develop strategies for enhancing university promotion, ensuring high-quality education, and encouraging students to pursue their studies within the country rather than seeking education abroad. OPEN, led by Mr. Pandey, is uniting institutions from Kathmandu to Mahendranagar and Pokhara to Chitwan under a single organization, overseeing the operation of colleges. Mr. Pandey shares his insights with College Readers. Excerpts:

As the president of OPEN, you've witnessed a significant increase in students choosing to study abroad over the last two years. What impact has this year's trend of studying abroad had in comparison to the previous year?

The trend of going abroad for further studies has prevailed in Nepal over the years upon completing their plus two studies. Unlike some other nations, where there is encouragement for students to seek education abroad and contribute to their country's reputation. Even though they make sincere efforts by offering scholarships and setting specific requirements for student admissions, they haven't been able to successfully convince students to stay and study in the country. Nepal is grappling with issues like delays in releasing exam results, poorly timed exams, and frequent strikes, which make it even harder to encourage students to stay and pursue education here. We are equally troubled by education policy, medical policy, and engineering policy which push individuals towards international academia rather than national institutions. While Nepal lacks employment opportunities, it's also noteworthy that students in the country face difficulties in securing admission to fields like nursing and medical studies. This is due to universities offering certificates but struggling to accommodate all eligible students. These are the reasons why students are going abroad.

What are the issues and disputes arising within the medical field?

Medical education policies have established criteria in the name of ensuring the quality of students. However, these standards in the criteria are not fulfilled, which involve timely assessments, entrance examinations, and result announcements. However, things take a different turn when it comes to international admission policies. For instance, admission criteria for foreign universities often rely heavily on specific percentage requirements from the twelfth-grade exams. Sadly, the standards for medical education within the country are somewhat more lenient, resulting in delays in assessments and result announcements. This situation has left students with no choice but to look for better opportunities in places like Australia and the UK, where they hope to find more robust educational environments.

If a university has autonomy, why doesn't it show any proactive effort in conducting its exams itself?

The university has cultivated an inclination towards a public/governmental mindset among its own people.  They seem unable to communicate with the government and the chancellors. Possibly, this could stem from a lack of motivation, as they believe they have sufficient funds for their requirements and hence, are uninterested in initiating any situations. 

What are the solutions for this?

A more rigorous approach to addressing government mistakes is essential for creating an environment in Nepal conducive to student education. Timely admissions and results, along with focused attention on the Medical Education Commission, should be emphasized. Quality control, student enrollment, and result issuance by the Medical Education Commission need to be managed by respective universities, leveraging their faculty, teachers, and staff to maintain standards. The creation of the Medical Education Act above all universities has resulted in a shortage of personnel for inspections, leading to outsourcing and significant government expenses. If this trend persists, it could mirror the current situation in nursing and hospitals, facing personnel shortages, potentially adversely impacting the nation within the next 2 to 3 years.

Despite the government's commitment to send 20,000 nurses to England, a shortage of nurses prevents the fulfillment of that promise. Many universities and colleges have closed, leaving only a few lucky students with scholarships. This scarcity of educational opportunities has resulted in a shortage of skilled workers in the country. A plea is made to the government to establish a system supporting the national economy, enabling more students to pursue education locally and increasing their chances of finding jobs within the country.

As you’ve in the contribution of both Pokhara University and OPEN. Can y9u provide information about the advancements and enhancements in higher education?

Pokhara University has been excelling in higher education, particularly in the fields of engineering, while also making efforts to introduce new courses. However, challenges have arisen in the area of health sciences, affecting not only Pokhara University but also numerous other institutions. These challenges stem from the implementation of the Medical Education Act.

While Pokhara University had granted affiliations for a period, it has faced difficulties in providing so over the past few years. This issue has been recognized, and what potential solutions are being considered to address it?

This issue arises partly due to political influence, leading to some challenges. Without the introduction and implementation of new courses by universities, the growth of the market would be hindered. The remedy lies in fostering political coordination and ensuring a stable government with robust policies. Universities themselves often struggle due to apprehensions, so in the future, when selecting academics, the government should prioritize choosing independent scholars.

As You’re the president of OPEN. What is the current status of higher education in colleges affiliated with OPEN?

Currently, the colleges affiliated with OPEN have suspended operations, except for those in the management field. Both engineering and health science programs have been temporarily closed. Some management colleges are still operational, with their students even transferring credits and seeking education abroad. Without proactive measures from the government, retaining students within Nepal is becoming challenging. If this pattern persists, there's a risk of universities like Pokhara University and others facing closures in the future.

Lastly, what message do you want to convey to the students who just passed plus two?

I would like to emphasize the importance of pursuing courses such as nursing, engineering, MBBS, and other bachelor's degrees within Nepal. This decision not only ensures a promising career path but also contributes to the development of our nation. Therefore, it is advisable to consider studying at Nepalese universities to receive a quality education and make a positive impact on both your personal growth and the progress of Nepal.