Educational experts and academics in Nepal have urged for genuine university autonomy as a fundamental step toward enhancing academic standards, widening student access, and ensuring higher education remains financially reachable. These recommendations were highlighted during a national educational workshop titled “The University Grants Commission and Higher Education in Nepal,” organized by the Academic Students’ Council Nepal.
Call for Non-Interference and Policy Continuity
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Dr. Biju Kumar Thapaliya, former Vice-Chancellor of Purbanchal University, insisted that political interference in academic institutions must end. Highlighting core challenges such as fragile institutional independence, meager research funding, and shifting policies, he recommended linking university autonomy directly to transparent governance, quality enhancement, and performance accountability.
Focusing on student participation, Prof. Dr. Ved Raj Acharya, Dean of the Faculty of Education at Tribhuvan University, proposed setting a strategic goal to enroll at least 30 percent of the university-age population in higher education over the next 10 years. While emphasizing the necessity of keeping education affordable, Dr. Acharya cautioned that cost reductions should never come at the expense of cutting academic budgets or trimming salaries for teachers and staff.
Human Resource Planning and Grant Management
Former National Planning Commission member and educationist Prof. Dr. Pushkar Man Bajracharya advocated forming a dedicated national council for human resource planning. He also stressed establishing a reliable, long-term scholarship system for economically marginalized students. Dr. Bajracharya added that the University Grants Commission (UGC) must strengthen its oversight by setting quality benchmarks, evaluating academic programs, and delivering research grants efficiently.
The program was chaired by former Tribhuvan University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Tirtha Khaniya. Other notable participants included former Mid-Western University VC Prof. Dr. Upendra Koirala, education expert and former UGC member Prof. Dr. Govinda Nepal, UGC Member-Secretary Prof. Dr. Rozy Shrestha, former UGC India Secretary Prof. Dr. Manish Joshi, and Morgan State University professor Prof. Dr. Krishna Bista.
