PM Karki Addresses Nepal Open University Convocation

PM and Chancellor Karki Addresses Nepal Open University Convocation

Addressing the convocation ceremony, Prime Minister and Chancellor Karki expressed happiness at being able to participate in the first convocation ceremony in the capacity of Chancellor. He congratulated all students who were conferred degrees under various faculties and thanked the officials, professors, staff, and all supporters who contributed to bringing the university to this stage.

Prime Minister Karki stated that the university has been progressing by running programs from Bachelor’s level to PhD under the faculties of Social Sciences and Education, Management and Law, and Science, Health and Technology since 2074 BS.

He said the university has played an important role in extending accessible and quality higher education through open and distance learning not only to students within Nepal, but also to those living abroad.

Noting that Nepal Open University has succeeded in establishing a distinct identity in the academic sector within a short period, Prime Minister Karki expressed confidence that in the coming days the university will play an even more effective role in producing a time-relevant workforce that is employment-oriented, entrepreneurship-focused, and based on research and innovation.

He stated that the role of the Open University should become even stronger in providing higher education opportunities to students from remote areas who cannot physically attend classrooms, as well as those who are busy with work and business.

Saying that there is a challenge to prevent talent outflow and to utilize knowledge and skills in nation-building in line with the changing expectations of youth, he stated that the role of higher education institutions will be important in addressing this.

Prime Minister Karki emphasized that the university should become institutionally stronger and bring as many students as possible into the mainstream of education. He stated that the teaching-learning process should be conducted by embracing the rapid development of science and technology and by incorporating both global and indigenous knowledge.

At the ceremony, chief guest educationist and former Vice-Chancellor of Tribhuvan University Kedar Bhakta Mathema stated that pursuing lifelong learning and being able to continue learning even in difficult circumstances would be the responsibility of Open University students.

Students who passed under various faculties were conferred degrees during the program. The university has been providing higher education under the faculties of Science, Health and Technology, Social Sciences and Education, and Management and Law.

Vice-Chancellor of the Open University Dr Shilu Manandhar Bajracharya stated that the Open University has been providing higher education in an accessible manner through distance education for individuals living busy lifestyles.