University Grants Commission yet to issue equivalence certificates after taking over role from TU

Students seeking equivalency certificates for foreign degrees face significant delays at Nepal's University Grants Commission (UGC), which recently assumed this responsibility from Tribhuvan University. Pramod Sah, who earned an MD in India, spent a full day at the UGC office but left without the required certificate, being advised to apply online and wait for legal procedures and staff arrangements to be completed.

Similar challenges confront Bishal Bhujel, who studied optometry in India. He received only a temporary letter, which may suffice for upcoming licensing exam applications, but he still awaits a permanent certificate. This uncertainty affects many students who have returned to Nepal after completing their studies abroad, casting doubt on their academic and professional futures.

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The UGC officials asked me to wait until the necessary legal procedures are completed and staff arrangements made.

Since the UGC began accepting applications on July 22, over 1,000 students have applied, with approximately 200 visiting the office daily. Despite this volume, no permanent equivalency certificates have been issued. This delay is particularly critical for students in health-related fields like medicine, physiotherapy, and optometry, who require these certificates for licensing procedures, further education, and professional practice in Nepal.

The authority to issue equivalency certificates was transferred to the UGC following amendments to the University Grants Commission Act last year. The delays stem from incomplete regulations and staffing, leaving students in limbo regarding their ability to pursue further studies, apply for scholarships, or engage in professional activities requiring recognized foreign qualifications.

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Our licensing exam applications are opening soon. They prepared a temporary document so that we could take the exam. They told us to return later for the permanent certificate because the regulations and other procedures have not yet been completed.