KATHMANDU: Scholars have stressed on research-based education in Nepal.
Speaking at a program ‘High-Impact Educational Practices’, organized by the Girija Prasad Koirala Foundation for Democracy, Peace, and Development, in coordination with GP Koirala Foundation Canada, various educationists, economists, and professors highlighted the importance of practical, vocational and research-based education in Nepal.
Speaking at the program, Dr. Dadhi Adhikari, Economist at Institute for Strategic and Socio-Economic Research (ISSR) said that Nepal is facing income inequality. He said that Nepal’s Universities lack research work and use an outdated curriculum due to which Nepali students’ performances have not been at par with students of foreign universities.
“Our students cannot compete with international students, even with other South Asian nations, due to lack of research-oriented education”, Adhikari said.
He also urged the government to hire professors, lecturers on the basis of research published in different journals rather than opting for political appointments.
Dr. Narayan Thapa, Department Head and Associate Professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences at Cameron University, Lawton, USA emphasized on globalizing education. “Education is not merely meant to obtain certificates, but for knowledge — to share ideas and to prepare good citizens”, he said.
Dr. Thapa also informed that there is free and healthy competition in private and community colleges, universities in the USA. “Federal government of USA invests huge amounts in education, but they never intervene”, he stated.
He informed that several universities, government as well as non-government institutes provide funds for research papers, which he argued lacks in Nepal.
Highlighting the importance of the program, Sujata Koirala, Chairman of the Foundation said that the program will focus on youth education. “Nepal’s education is far behind compared to other countries. Hence, the need for technology-based vocational education should be a priority”, she told Khabarhub.
She also stated that the program is organized on the day, May 26, coinciding with the first swearning-in of late Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala as the country’s Prime Minister.
“Girija Prasad Koirala was the first prime minister to pave the way for Nepali students to pursue their higher studies abroad, as well as to open the doors for foreign employment,” she said.
“The program has been aimed at highlighting the education for social change and global education”, she told Khabarhub.
Professors and scholars who served at different universities in the USA, and Nepal such as Dr Sudhir Shrestha, Dr Basant Giri, Dr Him Lal Ghimire, Tulsi Paudel, Dr Swarnim Wagle, Dr Ram Kantha Makaju Shrestha also shared their views in the program.
Comment