IT institutions, counselling agencies lure students

Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, May 23:

The eighth Nepal Education and Book fair-2004 is showcasing more IT related institution and the counselling agencies at the exhibition. The number of IT institutions are growing in recent days, however, the quality seems to be degrading and their business prospects are also looking dismal, says an expert. Hemant Poudel, programme director of CIT College, says despite the great scope of IT industry, business has not grown as per the expectations. "Thanks to the September 11 attacks in the US, which has pushed the IT industry down globally," he adds. CIT college, which offers different IT related courses, is taking part in the 8th Educational and Book fair. It offers bachelors level in computer engineering, information technology and computer applications. "We provide both theoretical as well as practical knowledge, Poudel says.

Currently, there are more than a dozen IT colleges in Kathmandu. But the courses they offer and the quality of education they provide differ. Patan Multiple College and Tri Chandra Multiple College run the BE Computer course prescribed by the Tribhuvan University (TU) whereas others follow the Purbanchal University (PU) courses. "But the four-year Computer engineering course that we offer is globally recognised," Poudel boosts. CIT has recently started the +2 programmes also. Nepal International Education Consultancy Pvt Ltd (NIEC) is another participant at the fair which claims to provide quality education and counselling for studies abroad. Sunny Chawla, marketing officer of NIEC, says that his institution offers preparation classes for the TOEFL, IELTS, SAT1, GRE and GMAT. "Our classes are conducted using high-tech tools possessed with self-access library, self-access lab and enough materials to cater the needs of the students," he adds.

Educational Consultants India Ltd (Ed-CIL), a public sector enterprise under the ministry of human resource development, India, is promoting their scheme at the ongoing exhibition.

It has come up with a Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) scheme, which has been designed for the direct admission of foreign nationals and non-resident Indians to study various courses in National Institutes of Technologies (NIT) and other centrally-funded institutions. It is especially targeting foreign students for the academic year of 2004-05.

According to Ed-CIL officials, the government of India has allocated 15 per cent of seats under this scheme for eligible foreign students on first-come-first-serve basis upon satisfying some admission requirements. Candidates should have passed higher secondary or equivalent to 12 years of schooling with a minimum of 60 per cent aggregate marks.