UniversityGrants Commission

N e p a l

Vol:1 No.:1 Marga 7, 2063 November 23, 2006UGC Newsletter

The University Grants Commission (UGC)is a statutory body. It was established bythe University Grants Commission Act,2050 approved by the Parliament onMarga 7, 2050 BS.

The UGC has been established forcoordinating and strengthening highereducation in the country. Without astrong educational foundation, thestandard of higher education cannotbe strengthened. On the other hand,the UGC is supposed to create a soundenvironment conducive to the highereducation system in Nepal. Theconcept of establishing UGC evolvedalong with multi-university concept.According to the UGC Act, theCommission has been entrusted with

UGC NewsletterThe University Grants Commission (UGC) has

come with its own newsletter. It will be one of

the important documents that will contain

the information about the activities

undertaken by the UGC, the academic

activities of the universities of Nepal and

Nepal’s higher education system and policies.

Though this small venture may not be well

enough to cover all information about higher

education and research, it will try its best to

cover most of it that is related to the UGC and

the institutions of higher education.

University Grants Commission in Nepal

UGC Building, Sano Thimi, Bhaktapur

definite responsibilities to promotehigher education in Nepal. TheCommission is now housed in its ownnew building at Sanothimi, Bhaktapur.

UniversityGrants Commission

News in Brief

4

Second HigherEducation ProjectA Milestone toAccess the HigherEducation andQuality Assurance

5

Girl Students’ScholarshipProgram

6

University GrantsCommission inNepal

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Message from theChairman, UGCMessage from theMember-Secretary,UGC

2

UGC to PromoteHigher Education

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UGC Newsletter2

Message from the Chairman, UGC

As a social responsibility to provideupdated information on highereducation of Nepal to theconcerned stakeholders, theUniversity Grants Commission (UGC)has started publishing a Newsletter

as its own authoritative publication. So it has beena great pleasure to me to bring this publicationinto the press world expecting a continuouscontact of UGC with its well wishers and themedia.

Nearly nine decades old history of education inNepal has undergone unprecedented progressin recent years. However, challenges are aheadat all stages of education and economicdevelopment. They are very closely related tothe rate of success in fulfilling responsibilities ofhigher education to the society.

Our society demands diversity in knowledge andaccess to quality and competitive education.Society also expects education for the promotionof sustainable development, democracy andpeace. It is for social transformation andmodernization of the society the Education musthelp develop their spirit of cooperation,compassion and love among the people in thecountry. It must prepare the citizens to developtheir patriotic, ethical and dedicating outlookand make them capable to lead the societytowards bright future.

Higher education delivering agencies, theuniversities and the campuses must develop theircapability to serve these purposes in order to fulfilltheir responsibilities towards society. A universityis a dynamic living social institution nourished andnurtured by the society. It evolves, adapts, andmutates as time moves on. Universities thus servethe societies on which they subsist. In order toenable universities and constituent and affiliatedcampuses the Nepal Government and the WorldBank embark upon fulfilling major demands of thesociety and negotiated to launch Second HigherEducation Project.

Successful education reform requires a newparadigm of thought in which all social units mustbe brought together into a holistic view of lifelongeducational process. It is an "education for all"and "all for education" way of educationalthinking.

I wish this publication be an effective instrumentto intimate all in providing updated informationof policies, programs, activities andachievements of the UGC and other highereducation related fields of Nepal.

Dr. Kamal Krishna JoshiChairman, UGC.

Message from the Member-Secretary, UGC

The higher education sector in Nepal isnow going through a most significantchange in terms of tremendous growthin the number of institutions and studentsinvolved in a large variety of academiccourses relevant to job markets. Internal

as well as external competition among the campuses/colleges is escalating through the offer of attractiveacademic as well as incentive packages keeping inview - the ever changing needs of the students andtheir parents. This is a very much challenging taskrequiring huge investment, qualified and dedicatedmanpower. In such a situation only the person withadequate traits of leadership and vision can lead aninstitution to the path of growth and development.Atmosphere of competition works as a goodbreeding ground for the growth of successful andadmirable institutions. Competition also gives rise tothe sense of accountability. This fact needs to beduly appreciated to stop the exodus of students tothe foreign countries in the future.

Globalization has made a good deal of its impact onthe mode of services provided by higher educationinstitutions. Therefore, there is no other alternativeto making our institutions comparable to those ofother nations. The University Grants Commission(UGC) is currently engaged in the dialogues with theacademia and partner organizations to make theassessment of present status and to identify themeasures to be taken at different levels. The wholethrust of this endeavor is focused on: how to improvethe quality of education provided by the institutes,campuses/colleges of Nepal. We in the UGC believethat whatever efforts this organization would makein the coming days should be done by forging closecooperation with all types of institutions, both inpublic as well as private sector. Quality enhancementis a matter of short-term to long-term proposition.Therefore, plans and programs need to be chalkedout accordingly.

The UGC has already taken-up some of the initiativestowards this direction. Under the aegis of SecondHigher Education Project, works have already beenlaunched to establish a mechanism of QualityAssurance & Accreditation. Similarly, ground worksare now being prepared to popularize the idea ofmaking research works an inseparable part of theteaching and learning practices at the places ofhigher studies. Moreover, programmes will be broughtout to encourage the campuses/colleges toestablish a system of accountability on the part of allthe concerned stakeholders.

It is very much appreciable that UGC website hasbeen launched to share information and experienceswhich are so essential to enrich one's own knowledgeabout challenges faced by higher education inNepal. Equally important is the launching of the UGCNewsletter.

I extend my best wishes for the success of theseinitiatives.

Prof. Dr. Vinod Kumar ShresthaMember-Secretary

UGC Newsletter 3

According to the UGC Act, the commissionwill help formulate definite policy to providegrants properly to universities and providerecommendation to the concerned agenciesfor additional grants. It will also provideconsultation to the Government to open newuniversities in Nepal and assist to establishcoordination between universities in order tostandardize the educational programs run bythem. Developing appropriate programs forenhancing the standard of higher educationis another objective of the Commission.Besides that, the provision of fellowships,research grants etc. to the capablecandidates for study in the universities andinstitutions of higher education in the countryor abroad are also the prime concern of theCommission.

The University Grants Commission also worksfor maintaining the standard and quality ofhigher education in the universities. It willformulate programs for the purpose, andmake necessary arrangements to achieve thisgoal. The Commission makes provision forawarding scholarships/ fellowships andexchange of faculty members between theuniversities or educational institutes withinand outside Nepal.

UGC ProgramsThe UGC conducts the following QualityImprovement Programs in a regular basis:

S.N. Program Number1 Mini Research Works Completed 2662 Mini-Research Works Ongoing 1723 Ph. D. Supported Scholars 404 M.A./M. Phil. Supported Scholars 255 Travel Grants Support 3816 Workshops/Seminars Supported 2327 Refresher Courses 308 University Teachers' Training 1359 Library Strengthening and Equipments: Campuses 32710 Assistance for Physical Facilities Development: Campuses 12811 Campuses Supported with Annual Grants 170

UGC to Promote Higher EducationMini Research works,Special Research Projects,Scholarship to M Phil/ Ph. D students,Travel Grants for academic visits,Grants for Seminars/ workshops, andAssistance to campuses for Physical FacilityDevelopment and Library Strengthening.

These programs have been implemented sincethe very inception of the UGC. The principal mottoof the UGC is to improve the quality of highereducation and enhance the accessibility of it forthe disadvantaged communities of this country.

The overview of progammes undertaken by theUGC from 1994 to date is given below:

Special Research WorksUGC has conducted the following studies overthe years:

The Establishment of New Universities: Processand Pre-requisitesPolicy for Allocation of Funds to Institutions ofHigher EducationNorms and Standards of Teaching, Learningand ResearchUmbrella Act: Draft PreparationA study on the UGC Strengthening PolicyCurrent Status of Engineering Education inNepal: Need for 21st CenturyCurrent Status of Medical Education in Nepal:Need for 21st Century

UGC Newsletter4

ConstituentCampuses6012233080

No. ofStudents127267157624762222850131826

AffiliatedCampuses288161173240412

No. ofStudents>660044582686744443810>80973

TotalCampuses348281376270492

TotalStudents>19327120345162766646660>212797

Universities

Tribhuvan UniversityNepal Sanskrit UniversityKathmandu UniversityPurvanchal UniversityPokhara UniversityLumbini Bouddha UniversityTotal

The University Grants Commission (UGC) organizedan interaction program on Second HigherEducation Project in Kathmandu on 30th Octoberlast. The Second Higher Education Project is goingto be implemented here in near future. Prof. Dr.Vinod Kumar Shrestha, the member-secretary ofUGC welcomed the respectable guests and threwlight on the purpose of the Interaction program onthe occasion.

Most of the education experts from various sectorsincluding members of the UGC steeringcommittee, members of Students Assistance FundDevelopment Committee, Vice-Chancellors andformer Vice-chancellors, authorities andrepresentatives from MOES, MOF, NPC, PSC, NWCand Students Union attended the program.

The educationists like Mr. Khagendra Bhattarai,former Chairperson of Nepal University Teachers'Association presented his paper on 'Policy reformsconcerning Second Higher Education Project', Dr.Mohan Aryal, consultant of the World Bank dealton 'major reform components and supportsconcerning the Project'. Similarly Prof. Dr. HridayaRatna Bajracharya discussed quality assurance andaccreditations of courses. Mr. Janardan Nepal,Director General of Education Departmenthighlighted on higher secondary educationcomponent of the Project.

The program was closed by the concludingremarks from the Chairman of the UGC Dr. KamalKrishna Joshi. He also prosposed the vote ofthanks to the distinguished participants of theprogram.

UGC-UNESCO PartnershipUniversity Grants Commission (UGC) and UNESCO/Nepal, recently, signed an agreement to carry outa study on the status of accessibility to highereducation in Nepal. This work is expected to becompleted by July 2007.

Following objectives have been spelled out for thestudy:

To identify the magnitude of inaccessibility tohigher education in Nepal, and gaps betweenschool and higher education curriculumlinkages.To determine the minimum norms andstandards of school education for improvingtransition and access to higher education.To identify the problems relating to accessibilityof students from disadvantaged/poor familiesto higher education and the measures to betaken to address it.To make comprehensive policy suggestions.

UGC hosts Interaction Program

Status of Universities in Nepal (2004-05)

UGC Newsletter 5

The Second Higher Education Project has beendesigned to enhance the access of the needymeritorious students to higher education. After thecompletion of higher education project -I, UniversityGrants Commission (UGC) in collaboration with theWorld Bank has taken initiatives for theimplementation of the Second Higher EducationProject. This project aims at inducing reforms toimprove financial sustainability of highereducation and an access of the academicallyqualified under-privileged students including girls,Dalits, disadvantaged Janajatis to highereducation.

ObjectivesThe main objectives of the project are:1. to enhance quality and relevance of higher

education and research through a set ofincentives for promoting effectivemanagement and financial sustainability of theacademic institutions, and

2. to improve access for academically qualifiedunder privileged Dalits and Janajatis to highereducation through financial assistance andenhance capacity of higher secondary schools.

Project ComponentsThe project is composed of four major components(and subcomponents). They are 1. Reform Grants2. Student/s’ Financial Assistance, 3. HigherSecondary Education and 4. Strengthening SystemCapacity.

1. Reform grantsThe output of this component will be (i) improvedfinancial sustainability for quality education and (ii)enhanced quality of research.

a. Reform grants – The Reform grants is classifiedinto three different categories i.e. (i) Incentive grants,(ii) Performance grants and (iii) Matching grants.

i. Incentive grants - to be given to decentralizedcampuses of TU and other universities forautonomy and for formula-based funding.

ii. Performance grants - to reward academicinstitutions (autonomous campuses and otheruniversities) for their best achievements in the year.

iii. Matching grants - to mobilize resourcesreceived from the participating institution andthe project.

b. Research Funding – The Research funding isclassified into (i) Faculty Research, (ii) StudentResearch and (iii) Strengthening Research.

i. Faculty Research: supports faculties forconducting high-quality research activities,

ii. Student Research: supports for Master’s/M.Phil. program, Ph.D. fellowships, Post Doctorate,and Collaborative Research,

iii. Strengthening Research: supports improveinfrastructure of participating institutions.

2. Students’ Financial AssistanceIt will help mitigate the constraints faced by needymeritorious students including girls, Dalits anddisadvantaged Janajatis. and help them getaccess to higher education and higher secondaryeducation. For this purpose Student FinancialAssistance Trust Fund (SFATF), an autonomous body,will be established. Students will be selectedthrough the Proxy Means Testing mechanism.

3. Higher Secondary EducationThis component is to phase out PCL program andexpand higher secondary schools and to enhancethe access of students living in villages to highersecondary education. It includes:

a. The Basic grants to students.b. The Matching grants in the ratio 1:2 (one unit

from community and two units from the project).

Second Higher Education ProjectA Milestone to Access the Higher Education and Quality

Assurance

UGC Newsletter6

c. The Performance grants to schools forconducting good performance (up to 200community higher secondary schools).

d. The Input for capacity building of DOE and HSEB .

4. Strengthening System CapacityThis component helps to enhance the capacity ofthe University Grants Commission (UGC) and theMinistry of Education and Sports (MOES) to facilitatethe development of higher education. The keyinputs are:

i. establishment of a Quality Assurance andAccreditation System (QAAS)

ii. establishment of EMIS for higher educationiii. training of staff, study visits, supplies for UGC,

SFATF and MOES

QAAS of the project is to provide information tothe government, students and employers regardingquality status of academic institutions as well as topromote quality improvement. The project willsupport both program (Bachelor’s and Masters’programs) as well as institutions (departments,campuses, institutes and universities) based onevaluation for QAAS as need or demand.

Quality Assurance and Accreditation CouncilIn order to give information about the quality ofprograms offered by the various campuses in thepublic domain, and thus to encourage theinstitutions to improve their quality and relevancethe UGC has envisaged to establish an Assessmentand Accreditation Council under its umbrella. Thiswill assist in providing an instrument for comparingacademic programs of different institutions, and builda culture of compliance with academic standards.

Reform Grants for Community CollegesThe community colleges contributing to highereducation can also benefit from Second HigherEducation Project. They will be eligible to receivereform grants if they have managementcommittees, land, enrolment in higher educationof not less than 500 students, statement of accountsand the audit report, campus rules, pass rates notbelow 30%, all assets in the name of the campusand agreement for fee waiver to needy students (inlieu of grants).

DurationThe project will run for six years - till the end of thecalendar year 2012.

Girl Students’ Scholarship Program(A joint initiative of the Nepal Government and the UGC)

The UGC, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES), plans to provide fundsmade available by the Nepal Government as a scholarship to meritorious needy girl students. Thescholarship amount will be Rs. 500.00 per month for certificate level students and Rs. 1000.00 per monthfor Bachelor and Master’s level students. The scholarships are of two types: Scholarship for meritoriousstudents and stipend for poor students.

The Poor Student Scholarship is further classified as Disabled Scholarship, Dalit Scholarship, JanajatiScholarship and Economically backward Scholarship. With a coordination of Ministry of Educationand Sports (MOES) and Girls Education Trust Fund (GETF), the UGC is preparing a necessary arrangementto provide scholarship to girls at college level also.

UGC Newsletter 7

The University Grants Commission has completedthe following activities as the pre-requisites for theimplementation of the project:

Dissemination seminars and workshops wereconducted.Operation and Management Guidelines areprepared.Staffs are being recruited.Procurement Plans for the first 18 months of theproject period have been prepared.TU autonomous act has been approved by itsSenate.Student Financial Assistance Trust Fund (SFATF)has been established under the NepalGovernment Regulations.A Steering Committee to provide overallguidance to the implementation of SecondHEP has been formed.Collection of basic data and information fromthe campuses has been initiated to establishEducational Management Information System(EMIS) within the UGC premises.

Dissemination SeminarThe UGC had organized a dissemination seminaron Higher Education Project for Reforms, Qualityand Equity on Bhadra 22, 2063 last in Pokhara.

Speaking from the Chair on the occasion, theChairman of the UGC Dr. Kamal Krishna Joshi saidthat higher education should get a betteracademic environment and improvedmanagement care. He referred to theaccountability of higher education for the society.

Delivering a welcome address Prof. Dr. VinodKumar Shrestha, member-secretary of the UGChighlighted the agendas of the Seminar. Hestated that universities should now be able to saywhat best they could do to mobil ize theresources they have for quality of education.

Altogether three working papers were presented inthe seminar. Mr. Khagendra Bhattarai, formerPresident of Nepal University Teachers’ Associationread his paper on ‘Second Higher EducationProject-Policy Reforms’, Prof. Dr. Mohan PrasadAryal, Consultant of World Bank, presented hispaper on ‘Second Higher Education Project-Programme Components and Supports’ and Prof.Dr. Hridaya Ratna Bajracharya, Executive Directorof CERID, delivered his paper on ‘Second HigherEducation Project- Quality Assurance andAccrediatation’.

Deans, Campus Chiefs, University Teachers andAdministrative Personnel of most of the Campuseslocated in Pokhara Valley had taken part in theSeminar.

Readiness for Project Implementation

Newsletter Editorial Board

Patron: Dr. Kamal Krishna JoshiChief Editor: Prof. Dr. Vinod Kumar Shrestha

Editors: Subash Chandra DhungelKedar Prasad AcharyaDinesh Mani Ghimire

Published by:

University Grants Commission/Nepal

University Grants CommissionNepal

Sanothimi, BhaktapurP. O. Box: 10796, Kathmandu, Nepal

Tel: 6638550, 6638549 Fax: 977-1-6638552E-mail: ugc@ntc.net.npwww.ugcnepal.edu.np

Location Map

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