The higher education policy came into existence in 1998. Since then, the government has not made any changes in it. [break]
As many stakeholders have urged an upgrade of the higher education policy to make it relevant to the different times, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has finally decided to bring changes in the policy.
UGC aims to prepare the first draft of a new higher education policy by mid-May after collecting suggestions from stakeholders and experts across the country, said Ganeshman Gurung, chairman of UGC.
"We are going to bring in a new higher education policy as the existing policy has lately lagged when it comes to providing quality education at the higher levels," he informed.
Addressing a meeting with stakeholders in the western development region in Pokhara Tuesday, Gurung said preparations are going on to make the forthcoming higher education policy more time-relevant and practical. He also commented that the existing higher education policy has become traditional.
After holding a general discussion in the capital, an UGC team has reached the western part of the country to gather suggestions that may be included in the new policy, said Gururng.
"We are striving to make the new education policy more income-oriented. The new policy aims to produce students who are independent this time," he added.
After piecing together suggestions from the western part of the country, UGC is likely to reach other parts of the country and gather necessary suggestions which should be accommodated in the new higher education policy.
UGC officials said UGC has reached out to the regional level in order to assess the ground reality for students and make the policy more beneficial to them.
Similarly, Bholanath Pokharel, member secretary at UGC, said five committees have been formed for collecting suggestions from stakeholders and bringing changes in the existing policy.
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