Reforming Universities
Summary
Nepal’s universities need sweeping reforms to align with global standards, link education with innovation and the job market, and curb student outmigration. The University Grants Commission is being urged to amend its legal framework, strengthen research, and promote specialised institutions and financial autonomy.
Key Points
- Nepal’s higher education sector has expanded rapidly since the early 1990s, but many universities still struggle with outdated curricula, political interference and weak links to the job market.
- The University Grants Commission, established in 1993, has launched a national academic calendar and is now being pushed to reform its own legal and structural framework.
- Newly appointed UGC chairman Dr. Khadga KC wants amendments to the UGC Act and has begun gathering stakeholder views for broader university reform.
- Experts say Nepal should focus on specialised schools, stronger research capacity and financial autonomy rather than simply creating more universities.
