The University of Nepal has kicked off a two-day international symposium at Hotel Himalaya in Lalitpur, aiming to address critical challenges and explore future opportunities within Nepal's higher education sector. Focus areas include academic quality improvement, institutional growth, and innovation.
The event, themed “Learning from the American Higher Education Experience: Perspectives, Challenges, Innovations and Future Directions,” officially commenced on Wednesday following an inauguration by Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel.
Focus on Quality and Accountability
During the opening session, Minister Pokharel emphasized that the government is prioritizing the enhancement of educational quality, strengthening university governance, and aligning academic programs with national development goals.
Welcoming the attendees, Vice-Chancellor of Nepal University, Prof. Dr. Arjun Karki, noted that drawing from international experiences offers crucial guidance for reforming Nepal's tertiary education. He stressed that public institutions must remain accountable to the public by focusing on research, practical skills, entrepreneurship, and critical thinking, ensuring graduates earn valuable skills alongside their degrees.
Highlighting the university's strategic direction, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees Executive Committee, Prof. Eng. Lal Krishna K.C., detailed the institution's 'T-model' framework. This approach combines broad interdisciplinary learning with deep specialized knowledge to establish a globally competitive public university.
Keynote Address and Thematic Sessions
The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Dr. Lynn Pasquerella, President of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, who underlined the vital role higher education plays in fostering innovation and national advancement.
Technical sessions, moderated by Prof. Dr. Pitambar Sharma, featured research presentations exploring modern trends in global higher education. Key topics discussed included academic autonomy, interdisciplinary studies, artificial intelligence, critical thinking, and Nepal-US educational partnerships.
The symposium brought together officials from the US Embassy, University Grants Commission (UGC), National Planning Commission (NPC), and USEF-Nepal. The event is supported by Freedom 250 and the USEF-Nepal/Fulbright Commission.
