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🇳🇵 Nepal /Culture & Society

Nepal expands online NOC system, benefiting thousands of students seeking foreign studies

From Kathmandu Post · (4m ago) English Positive tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Over 88,000 students in Nepal have received No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for foreign studies online in the past three years.
  • The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology integrated data from the National Examinations Board, Tribhuvan University, and Kathmandu University to improve the online system.
  • While 26% of applicants completed the process entirely online, officials aim to increase this to 50% by improving data accuracy and addressing discrepancies in applications.

The Kathmandu Post is proud to report on the significant digital advancement in Nepal's education sector, highlighting the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology's success in expanding online services for outbound students. The issuance of over 88,000 No Objection Certificates (NOCs) online in just three years is a testament to the government's commitment to modernizing its administrative processes and easing the burden on students seeking international education.

a total of 339,851 NOCs have been issued since the system was introduced, with 88,480 students receiving their documents entirely online.

— Birendra Jung ThapaChief of the ministry’s NOC branch, providing statistics on the online system's usage.

This initiative, which began in May 2023, has seen a steady increase in online applications, with a notable integration of data from key academic institutions like the National Examinations Board, Tribhuvan University, and Kathmandu University. This integration is crucial, as it streamlines the verification process and brings Nepal closer to its target of enabling 50% of applicants to obtain their NOCs from home. The expansion of digital services not only reflects a forward-thinking approach but also addresses the practical challenges faced by students, reducing the need for in-person visits to the Sanothimi branch.

the online system was initially developed by integrating data from the National Examinations Board (NEB) for Grade 12 academic records.

— Shree Prasad BhattaraiJoint secretary at the Higher Education Division under the ministry, explaining the system's development.

While the current statistics show that 74% of applicants still require some level of in-person interaction, primarily due to errors in submissions, the ministry remains optimistic. Officials emphasize that improving data accuracy in applications is key to further increasing the fully online issuance rate. This focus on digital efficiency, coupled with the minister's acknowledgment of this as a key achievement, signals a positive trajectory for Nepal's educational administration. The system's success is a local triumph, demonstrating how technological adoption can directly benefit the aspirations of Nepali youth seeking global opportunities.

Even minor mistakes in personal details or missing documents require applicants to come in person for verification.

— an officialAn official at the Sanothimi branch explaining the reasons for in-person visits.
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Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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