The International Education Providers Association of Nepal (IEPAN) has requested that all public discussions regarding foreign university-affiliated higher education programs in Nepal be guided by facts, legal frameworks, and verifiable evidence. Speaking at a press conference, IEPAN President Laxman KC emphasized that evaluating the legitimacy or standards of these colleges must align with official approvals, accreditation, degree credibility, international recognition, and job market outcomes for graduates.
Addressing rumors regarding potential operational halts, President KC clarified that claims alleging approved programs could be closed arbitrarily without legal grounding are incorrect. He noted that these educational offerings operate legally under the Foreign Educational Program (Operation and Regulation) Regulations, 2083, which was framed pursuant to Section 19 of the Education Act, 2028.
Current Scope and Academic Impact
Currently, 58 approved institutions in Nepal are delivering programs in affiliation with 35 international universities spanning seven countries. A total of 37,208 students are presently enrolled across these institutions. KC highlighted that foreign-affiliated colleges have emerged as trendsetters in Nepal's education sector, particularly in IT and emerging fields.
These institutions were among the first in Nepal to introduce specialized disciplines such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, and Network Security, alongside Hotel and Hospitality Management, Interior Design, Entrepreneurship, Multimedia, and Animation. Delivering these modern global curricula locally helps generate skilled human resources tailored for the global market while reducing the financial burden on students traveling abroad.
Quality Assurance and Key Recommendations
Regarding academic standards, IEPAN noted that the Ministry of Education conducts on-site monitoring of institutions through expert teams, while affiliated parent universities establish curricula and regularly monitor their partner colleges. IEPAN urged regulatory authorities to investigate any specific institution found committing irregularities.
Additionally, KC called on the Ministry of Education to publish an updated directory of permitted institutions and programs, establish transparent quality-assessment criteria, and implement a functional mechanism to address student grievances.
