Nepal Western Management and Engineering College (NWMEC), affiliated with Pokhara University, is a premier college in Sudurpaschim province offering world-class hotel management, insurance & business academic qualifications. Shailesh Kumar Singh is the Director at Nepal Western Management and Engineering College, Dhangadhi. Due to his dynamic leading personality with entrepreneurship skills, Mr. Shailesh Kumar Singh has proven academic excellence as well as quality improvement within three years of taking over Nepal Western Management and Engineering College. He expresses his view to College Readers. Excerpts:

How do you envision the future of management education in Nepal, and what steps are mandatory to achieve that vision?

Management education is an important component for every institution as well as a nation, which is an essential backbone of development and success. Proper management education can only lead to achievement and success with effective planning and proper use of resources. In this way, students have a very good future in management education in Nepal and globally since the nation is developing slowly and trying to adapt to globalization and digitalization. There is a lot of space for the application of management education in real fields in Nepal. So, we need to develop management education and better undergraduate courses that can entail students with a combination of knowledge, skills, and attitudes for managing different levels and areas of management.

To enhance the implementation of management education, several crucial steps can be taken. Firstly, there should be a shift towards research-based education, incorporating more training and problem-solving methods to foster practical skills. Evaluation processes must evolve beyond reliance on model papers referencing old questions and answers, encouraging a deeper understanding of knowledge. Ensuring government stability is paramount for the development of both small and large industrial sectors, providing a conducive environment for growth. The application of practicality to knowledge acquisition, coupled with a nation-developing approach, is essential for producing well-rounded professionals. Additionally, a periodic review of the curriculum and teaching methodologies is imperative to align with international education standards, ensuring the relevance and competitiveness of the management education provided.

 Many students choose to study abroad right after the completion of plus two. What challenges do you see that management education faces in Nepal?

The field of management education in Nepal encounters significant challenges that hinder its overall progress. One prominent issue lies in the weakness of the financial management system, impacting the sustainable development of educational institutions. A concerning trend is the shift in student priorities towards immediate earnings rather than a genuine pursuit of education, indicating the emergence of a misguided cultural inclination. The escalating cost of higher education, coupled with the imperative need for quality upgrades, poses a considerable barrier to accessibility. The higher education system is marred by inefficiencies, hindering its ability to deliver effective and impactful learning experiences. Further exacerbating the situation is the inadequacy of investment and support from government policies, constraining the growth of the sector. Additionally, there is a notable absence of emphasis on research, innovation, and practical-based courses, limiting the overall academic scope. A critical aspect contributing to these challenges is the lack of training and professionalism among teachers, emphasizing the need for comprehensive reforms to address these multifaceted issues.

Are there collaborations or partnerships between your college and industries to enhance the practical exposure of management?

Of course, in the current situation, we can’t escape practical knowledge. And we are aware of that so we do have so many collaborations with many industries within as well as outside the country. We associated and signed the MOU with many 5-star hotels in different parts of the country for field visits as well as for an actual practical internship of 1 year in the final year for BHM students. We have sent many students to top hotels for internships in different countries like Dubai, Malaysia, Japan, India, etc. We are also associated with many other financial institutions and industries to ensure practical knowledge and internship opportunities for the students of BBA-BI.

What are the unique features and advantages that Pokhara University provides in its management programs?

Pokhara University is a well-organized and renowned University of Nepal. It is one of the biggest Universities. PU degree is highly recognized and valued in the nation as well as globally. The timely exam and result schedule of PU doesn’t waste the valuable time of students. The proper management and quality of the university have led to its popularity among the largest number of students in the country. PU is also known for quick time-to-time review and renewal of syllabus based on research to upgrade and develop the courses to meet the emerging challenges of the market. It has included more practical courses as well in the syllabus. The grading system of PU also includes both written theoretical and practical marks for the better assessment of the knowledge of students. On the other side, the various scholarship schemes for talented and minor family background students make the best and most responsible university in Nepal. In this way, PU offers the best quality management education and the most market-sellable students in the country.

What are the key features that students choose to study at your college?

The first feature of Nepal Western Management and Engineering College is that it is the oldest management college of PU in Farwest having long experience of 15 years in the education field. The long journey was possible with lots of improvement, advancement, and adaptability of the changes needed for the development of the education of students. Now talking about major features, we are running two most competitive bachelor programs including BBA-BI and BHM. First of all, the well-qualified, experienced, helpful, and friendly teachers approved by students deliver the core curriculum courses. We have developed various extra-curricular activities and practiced them weekly to develop life skills, real management and organization, teamwork, etc. which has helped to improve the qualities of students. NWA also offers well-equipped global standard infrastructures like- computer labs, BHM practical labs, a library, well-digitalized classrooms, environment-friendly a/c rooms, and other facilities. Students can get the freedom to get knowledge and share their problems outside the class as well during college hours with any full-time teachers. The personal and equal treatment of every student at college helps to develop a good culture and personal development of students within the four years. These features have already created a history of NWA with the best results and outcomes in the market. Before selecting any college for the most fruitful and future, securing four years of education every student must visit and understand all these things. NWA offers the best quality education with proper facilities.

What advice do you have for aspiring management students in Nepal, especially considering the current challenges and opportunities?

Generally, if we see the world scenario management is the most general and broad education which has a wider scope and earnings. In the context of our nation, our country has a lot of space for new entrepreneurs, small industries, hospitality sectors, tourism, and many more areas for which proper skilled management education is most needed. There is a saying that “not every organization needs doctors or engineers, but every single company needs managers who are management graduates” so management education has a very good scope in the nation as well as worldwide. Management education also teaches the idea of building own income not just the good old how much a company would give. So, this field is very effective if you want to create your ideas in reality. Management students are the real nation developers by creating employment and adding national income through taxes.

Management education teaches not only business and money but also the life skills of planning, organizing, and maintaining the time to live an organized life. So, my basic advice is for those who are aspiring to study management in Nepal, to choose the best institution that can sharpen your mind and capabilities with practical skills and knowledge more than theories. Don’t rush to go abroad without any skill and training to be a low-level worker lifetime rather try to work hard, get knowledge to create your own money, and be creative and innovative in your own country. Focus on personal development rather than earning money before completing undergraduate graduation. A skilled and creative graduate is sellable worldwide.