Nepali Students Going Abroad for Higher Education: A Concern for Community Colleges
With an increasing number of Nepali students seeking higher education abroad, community colleges in the country are facing a significant challenge. Since July 2022, around 80,000 Nepali students have obtained permission letters (NOCs) to study abroad, while 79,309 have received NOCs in the last nine months alone. The growing trend of Nepali students studying abroad is causing a decrease in enrollment at community colleges, leading to financial difficulties for many institutions.
Challenges Faced by Community Colleges
At the 12th National Convention of Nepal Public Campus Association, professors and principals expressed their concerns over the issue. Lack of resources, inability to pay salaries to staff, and difficulty attracting students are just some of the challenges faced by community colleges. Some colleges are living on rent, and others do not have their own buildings, making it hard for them to create a welcoming learning environment. The lack of student enrollment has forced universities to close some programs, and the ongoing programs have seen a reduction in student engagement.
Changing the Format of Universities
Prof. Dr. Tara Prasad Upadhyay, Head of Lumbini Commerce Campus, suggested that the format of universities needs to be changed to address the issue of declining enrollment. He warned that if the situation does not improve soon, universities could become ghost bungalows. Mr. Tej Bahadur Malla, head of Raijhula Campus in West Rukum, emphasized the need for investment in colleges to bridge the gap between community and private colleges. Deepak Kuikel, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kantipur Campus, also spoke about the many challenges faced by community colleges.
Preserving Community Campuses
The President of Nepal Research and Education Network, Lochanlal Amatya, highlighted the weak research sector in Nepal, which he believes is contributing to the increasing trend of Nepali students studying abroad. He suggested that if the research done abroad could be brought to Nepal, universities in Nepal could operationalize it. The speakers emphasized the need to preserve and promote community campuses to provide better access to higher education.
Education Minister's Response
The Education Minister, Ashok Kumar Rai Rai, acknowledged the growing trend of Nepali students studying abroad and expressed the government's commitment to addressing the challenges faced by community colleges. He emphasized that all stakeholders must work together to find solutions to the problems in the education sector.
Overall, The increasing number of Nepali students studying abroad is a concern for community colleges in the country. The challenges faced by these institutions, such as lack of resources and declining enrollment, need to be addressed by changing the format of universities, promoting community campuses, and investing in colleges. The government and all stakeholders must work together to find solutions to the problems in the education sector to ensure that all students have access to quality higher education.
Publisehd on 8th April 2023
Kathmandu
