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🇳🇵 Nepal /Culture & Society

Global tensions keep Nepali students in home universities as enrolment climbs

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • Student enrollment in Nepal's higher education institutions has surged by nearly 10 percent year-on-year, reaching 749,392 students.
  • The increase is attributed to geopolitical instability disrupting overseas study plans and academic backlogs from the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Management studies remain the most popular field, while education and humanities continue to decline in enrollment.

Student enrollment in Nepal's higher education institutions has surged, with 749,392 students currently enrolled, a nearly 10 percent increase from the previous fiscal year. This growth reflects a decade-long trend that has nearly doubled the student population in higher education, from around 407,000 in 2015 to the current figures.

Officials attribute the rise to several factors. Geopolitical instability in various countries has deterred students from pursuing overseas education, leading them to remain in Nepal. Additionally, academic backlogs created during and after the COVID-19 pandemic have extended course completion times, contributing to higher overall enrollment numbers. Improved academic management and the implementation of more effective academic calendars by universities have also played a role in attracting and retaining students.

One reason is that students whose overseas education plans were disrupted by wars and geopolitical instability in different countries have remained in Nepal. Another reason is the academic backlog created during and after the Covid pandemic. Many students took longer to complete courses, which increased the overall enrolment figures.

— Devraj AdhikariA former UGC chairperson explains the contributing factors to the rise in student enrollment.

The surge in enrollment is further bolstered by improved performance in Grade 12 examinations, with pass rates increasing significantly. This has naturally expanded the pool of eligible university entrants. Despite the emergence of new institutions, Tribhuvan University continues to be the dominant choice for the vast majority of students. Bachelor's level programs account for 89 percent of enrollments, with master's programs at 10 percent and doctoral studies at only 1 percent.

While overall enrollment climbs, management studies remain the overwhelming preference among students. Fields like education and humanities, however, continue to lose ground in popularity. This trend highlights a persistent imbalance in student academic choices within Nepal's expanding higher education sector.

The increase in the number of students passing secondary education has naturally expanded the pool of university entrants.

— Dilliram SharmaA former dean of the Faculty of Management at Tribhuvan University discusses the impact of secondary education performance on university admissions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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