Minister Paudel seeks greater role for UGC

Kathmandu, November 22

Minister for Education Dhaniram Paudel today stressed on expanding the role of University Grants Commission for the development of higher education.

Addressing the 23rd anniversary of UGC in Sanothimi of Bhaktapur, Minister Paudel said UGC should be given a lead role for the development of higher education sector.

Stating that a total of 96 academic programmes of foreign universities were running in the country, Paudel said UGC should start monitoring them. “Higher education sector should be effectively managed and UGC should be transformed into the chief regulatory body of the higher education sector.”

Minister Paudel informed that the ministry was preparing to table Higher Education Bill in the Parliament. “The Higher Education Commission to be formed after endorsement of the act will be a powerful organisation,” he said.

Pointing out political interference as the major problem facing the education sector, he said academic institutions should be kept free from politics.

Tribhuvan University Vice Chancellor Prof Tirtha Raj Khaniya said delay in passing the Higher Education Bill had affected the education sector. He claimed that programmes run by foreign universities were just distributing certificates and not promoting quality education.

Similarly, Prof Parasar Prasad Koirala, chairperson, UGC, stressed on introducing technical subjects and relevant courses. He demanded an end to the trend of haphazardly approving foreign universities’ programmes.