Kathmandu, November 22:

A seven-member World Bank mission today held discussions with the officials at the Ministry of Finance on appraisal document of the Higher Education Project II (HEP II). The World Bank is considering providing a grant of $60 million for the implementation of the project which aims to carry out reforms in the higher education sector. The mission will be here for a week.

According to Professor Dr Bidur Prasad Upadhya, chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC), the mission is here to finalise the five-year HEP II by fine-tuning it through discussions and reviews.

“The WB delegates will hold talks with the UGC tomorrow. Talks with the officials at the Education Ministry, Department of Education and the Higher Secondary Education Board will be held thereafter.” Laba Prasad Tripathee, the spokesperson for the Education Ministry, said the mission will review the proposal and supervise the present higher education system. The five-year project comprises $38 million in reform grants, $8 million in student financial assistance, $12 million on higher secondary education and $2 million for strengthening of systemic capacity.