KATHMANDU, MAY 24
UK Minister for Indo-Pacific and Equalities Seema Malhotra held discussions with Nepali entrepreneurs and education stakeholders in Kathmandu on Saturday, highlighting the United Kingdom's commitment to strengthening cooperation with Nepal in education and skills development.
The interaction programme, organised by the Nepal Britain Chamber of Commerce and Industry under the theme "UK as a Full Spectrum Education Partner for Nepal", brought together representatives from educational institutions, vocational and skills organisations, education consultancies, business leaders and government officials from both countries.
Speaking at the event, Minister Malhotra described Nepal and the UK as partners connected through decades of cooperation in education, ranging from public sector collaboration to private institutional partnerships and support for Nepali students studying in Britain.
"The UK will remain a valuable and reliable education partner for Nepal, bringing benefits to people in both our nations," she said.
She said the partnership now focuses not only on access to education but also on quality, employability, skills development and research collaboration.
Highlighting transnational education, Malhotra said 19 UK universities are currently working with 27 campuses across Nepal, benefiting more than 17,000 students.
She noted that transnational education allows Nepali students to obtain UK qualifications without leaving the country, reducing costs and creating opportunities for a larger number of students.
UK Ambassador to Nepal Rob Fenn said the UK, through the British Embassy and the British Council, has been supporting Nepal in improving education outcomes and policy reforms.
He also stressed the role of the private sector in creating employment opportunities and contributing to economic growth.
Speaking at the programme, NBCCI President Dr Roshan Rathi emphasized the need for continued dialogue and collaboration between stakeholders of both countries to further strengthen Nepal-UK educational ties.
The event also discussed opportunities for cooperation in vocational training, governance systems, higher education, quality assurance and institutional partnerships as Nepal moves ahead with education sector reforms.