Education Minister Calls for New Universities Only When Justified by Need

Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel has called for the establishment of new universities only when there is clear justification based on student demand, market needs, and the appropriate use of government investment.

Addressing a two-day workshop that began on Thursday in Hetauda, the capital of Bagmati Province, Minister Pokharel emphasized the need to make existing universities more effective and improve their educational quality rather than simply increasing the number of universities.

Speaking at the workshop titled "Strengthening Nepal's Higher Education System: Provincial University Management and Coordination," Minister Pokharel said that establishing new universities requires coordination among all three tiers of government to mobilize the necessary resources.

He stated that although the government is prepared to invest in education, there must be a clear basis for demonstrating that such investment will produce meaningful returns.

Minister Pokharel said that Nepal currently has 28 universities under federal, provincial, and science academy structures. He identified the inability to manage and operate existing universities effectively as a more significant problem than the number of universities itself.

Regarding provincial universities, he emphasized the need to clarify the roles of the federal government and the University Grants Commission (UGC). He also recommended consultation and cooperation with the Commission before establishing new universities to support their institutional development.

Former Chief Minister Rajendra Pandey, University Grants Commission Chairperson Prof. Dr. Khadga KC, National Planning Commission Member Prof. Dr. Sudan Jha, Reshu Aryal Dhungana, and other speakers also expressed the view that developing a quality education system is more important than increasing the number of universities.

Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City Mayor Mina Kumari Lama was also present at the program.

During the workshop, Bagmati University President Prof. Dr. Chandra Mani Paudel provided information about the campuses operating under the university.

According to him, the university includes Hetauda Campus in Makwanpur; Bhuwani Shankar Campus and Madi Campus in Chitwan; Janamaitri Campus in Kuleshwor, Kathmandu; Kapan Campus in Kathmandu; and Chaitanya Campus in Kavre.

Bagmati University Vice President Dr. Kusum Raj Subedi delivered the welcome remarks at the program.

The workshop featured discussions on improving the quality of higher education, strengthening the institutional development of provincial universities, and ensuring effective coordination among institutions.

Vice-chancellors, campus chiefs, and professors representing federal and provincial universities, as well as health sciences academies, are participating in the two-day workshop.