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If our universities do not advance in education, academics, and technology, our national development and international standing will continue to decline. Globally, universities are seen as centers of knowledge, innovation, and research. The identity and development of advanced nations, as well as the progress of human civilization, are often linked to the research and innovation produced by their universities. Historically, institutions like Rishi Muni’s Tapobhoomi and Taxila established India as a global center of knowledge and civilization. Similarly, ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia and the achievements of humanity, such as reaching the moon, are the results of university-driven innovations.

Today, whether it’s the groundbreaking research of Nobel laureates or advancements in micro-computer technology, universities play a key role in the development, dissemination, and commercialization of technology. We all aspire to see similar advancements in our own country.

When we compare the educational, academic, and technological progress of neighboring countries like China and India, which gained independence around the same time as Nepal in 1950, it becomes clear that if Nepal does not advance, our national development and international identity will continue to suffer. It is high time that Nepali universities focus on research. In many Nepali universities, research and publication are not only essential for the professional development of academics but also for attaining high-ranking positions within the institutions.

The University Grants Commission (UGC), the umbrella organization of Nepali universities, has played a creative role in the development of higher education in Nepal since its inception. Whether it’s contributing to the development of knowledge and technology, fostering skilled human resources, or promoting research in nationally significant areas, the UGC has been committed to improving higher education in Nepal for three decades. The Commission is not only responsible for providing capital and operational funding for physical infrastructure but also for supporting technology development, quality control, and the delegation of university responsibilities. The UGC works in coordination with relevant federal ministries, especially the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, and the Ministry of Finance, to connect national universities in Nepal.

This article explores the current role of the University Grants Commission in promoting academic and scientific research, along with future research policies and suggestions. Nepali students will be drawn to local universities only if these institutions engage in innovative research, publish in quality journals, and use research findings for the benefit of society.

Commission’s research activities

While developed countries allocate a significant portion of their national budgets to research and innovation, Nepal has only recently begun this process. The University Grants Commission has taken steps to provide research funding to Nepali universities, offer research training, initiate entrepreneurial programs, and support the publication and presentation of research work. The Research and Scholarship Division of the UGC is active in awarding scholarships to undergraduate students and supporting postgraduate and PhD students in their research. However, the division’s role in fostering a research environment in Nepali universities has been diminishing in recent years.

Over the past decade, the UGC has progressed through seven thematic clusters, funding 50 MPhil, micro-research, and faculty research projects annually. This number has increased to 60 research projects at the PhD level. The UGC is also involved in 17 major research projects with national and international collaboration. Its innovative activities include numerous training programs, publications, and international visits to support young scientists and academic research. The UGC invests around 40 crores annually in these activities and is determined to promote cutting-edge research.

With financial support from the World Bank, the UGC has launched an entrepreneurial program in collaboration with national or provincial universities. This initiative aims to transform the site by engaging approximately 100 young students, teachers, and staff from across Nepal. The UGC also aims to connect Nepali research with the global community and make research more effective by controlling the duplication of efforts.

The UGC’s efforts to create a national research portal, the ‘Research Network Information System’ (RNIS), for university professors across Nepal are expected to have a positive impact. The UGC has also been involved in quality control and the effective implementation of 'Peer Reviewed Journals' by classifying journals published in Nepal.

Proposed new academic and scientific research initiatives

Given the current situation, it is not feasible for the University Grants Commission alone to regulate research activities and conduct quality research. Professors from various universities and hundreds of subject matter experts in different government agencies in Nepal must re-evaluate the research activities of the UGC. As the UGC prepares and circulates regulatory procedures, particularly for MPhil and PhD research, it is the responsibility of every university to improve their postgraduate programs.

The UGC should seize this opportunity to allocate research funds equitably and competitively, thereby increasing research activities across all Nepali universities and higher education institutions. Research development in Tribhuvan University and Kathmandu University is already regulated, and newer universities are in the process of doing so. Collaboration between universities should be encouraged to promote and present joint research efforts.

Attracting Nepali students to local universities will require engagement in innovative research, coordination with federal, provincial, and local governments, and publication of research results in quality journals for the benefit of society.

Conclusion

Universities worldwide are synonymous with innovative research. Although research regulatory procedures have been successfully implemented in Nepal’s older universities, newer institutions have only recently begun this process. The UGC has been working for decades to establish and upgrade necessary laboratories for equitable and competitive research in Nepal’s higher educational institutions.

In today’s environment, where the UGC plays an additional role in providing technical and financial support to postgraduates, MPhil, PhD, post-doc students, and working professors in Nepali universities, faculty and staff should take this golden opportunity to move forward. It is time for every university to not only conduct academic research but also engage in innovative research that aligns with global market demands and offers long-term social benefits.

DIY projects can be fun, inspiring, and help you save some money. It’s also good to surround yourself with things that have memories, stories, or emotions attached to them rather than things that are store bought and don’t have anything else apart from aesthetic value. If you’re looking for ideas on how to spruce up your living room or get crafty in the kitchen, check out some of these DIY Instagram accounts. A fair warning though, you will be scrolling for hours on end if you don’t set a screen time limit for yourself before you start exploring.

Oh Happy Day @ohhappyday

This page is filled with inspiration for picnics, adventures, great meals, parties, art, and among other things. It’s such a beautiful feed to look at too, with peppy pastel colors and gorgeous photos. You will find a lot of ideas and inspiration for throwing great parties and hosting dinners. There’s also décor and gift ideas. The owner of the page promotes simple luxuries with the focus on creating memories you will cherish. The posts inspire you to lead a slow, beautiful life. What we love about the page is the whimsical feel it has that put you in a lighter headspace.

Kelly Mindell @studiodiy

Kelly Mindell is the founder of Studio DIY, a blog that celebrates creativity in all its forms. From funky fashion to party-throwing and colorful recipes, there’s a lot on this account that is vibrant and fun. It’s mostly a party-planning and fashion tutorial. Mindell encourages people to play with colors to keep things interesting and fun. There are great storage and gift ideas that you can use along with posts that want you to replicate the setting in them because they are so stunning. If you want to create little nooks in your space but lack the know-how, this page can be your guide.

Meenakshi @behind_that_house

Meenakshi is a designer and lifestyle blogger who lives in Mumbai, India. Her Instagram page has many nifty tricks and tips to create beautiful things from items you have around the house. Learn to make a knot cushion from a throw, propagate a sweet potato, and even mix some fantastic cocktails. You will find a lot of festive décor ideas and inspiration in the page. With the festivals around the corner now, you can pick up some great tricks to entertain guests in style. There is a lot of flower play and ideas to elevate the look of simple things. Did you know you could freeze ice with pomegranate seeds to give your cocktails a fun twist? Want to learn how to make a tray from a simple painting? Behind that House has all that and more.

The Folding Hacks @thefoldinghacks

Most of us hate doing the laundry because it means we have to eventually fold and stow away our clothes. Our closets are often messy and we struggle to find things because we have randomly shoved our clothes into them. With The Folding Hacks, you can learn to fold a blanket or down jacket quickly, tie a cool looking bow in your dress, tuck a bed sheet neatly, and store jeans so that the entire pile doesn’t topple when you need the one at the bottom. Trust us, your life will be so much easier when you know how to fold and store your garments properly.

Paper Craft Ideas @paper_craft_ideas_

If you have a child at home or even if you don’t, Paper Craft Ideas is a great page to follow. There are fun things you can do when you are bored. Learn to make fun paper umbrella toppers for your cocktails, woolen flowers for that extra vase you have lying around, and a last-minute birthday or anniversary card with random bits and bobs. Your child can use some of the ideas to give their school projects a unique touch. There’s a good reason why this page has over eight million followers. There are over 2,500 posts that make for fun little projects, for children and adults alike.

Being a mom is a full-time job. Raising children is perhaps the hardest thing to do, perhaps even more difficult than giving birth to them. You are constantly on your toes and there are a zillion things to handle. If you happen to be a mother who has a job, it gets even worse. Juggling personal and professional responsibilities and staying on top of them is no easy feat. But mothers make it seem so effortless. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t feel the pressure. ApEx spoke to three working mothers to find out how they deal with it.

Sarita Shrestha, 32

As a working mom, I’m happy about the support that my family has given me. It gives me confidence and the ability to go about my work without worrying about my child. I have seen my female colleagues resign after delivery. Pregnancy and childbirth take a physical and mental toll on the mother’s health and many women suffer from postpartum depression as well.

As a working mom, time management is the biggest challenge for me. You need to be able to balance work and personal life. You have to take care of yourself and give time to your children. It’s not easy to be in the right frame of mind and on top of things and it’s something working moms struggle with all the time.

Arani Shakya, 32

Being a working mom, one of the challenging aspects is scheduling my day-to-day activities. I often find myself rescheduling things I have signed up for because there are personal responsibilities to handle. I don’t get to spend much time with my child and I fear I’m missing many milestones that would make for wonderful memories later on. I feel terrible. It’s almost like I live with constant guilt. Worse, some people think as a working mother I’m not giving my child enough attention. But working moms have a lot to juggle. We rarely have time for ourselves and our mental health.

Sangita Ramjali Shrestha, 36

I have two children and I believe that all working moms are super women. There’s just so much to do and you can’t afford to let things slide. You must be at the top of your game, both personally and professionally. The concept of a working mom is lovely but I constantly find myself going through a rollercoaster of conflicting emotions. Raising a child can be difficult if you don’t have the support of your family. I live in a joint family so things are easier for me. There’s always someone to take care of my children when I’m inundated with work. Personally, being a working mom takes a toll on me when my children are ill and I find myself unable to take time off from work. It’s when I feel at my lowest.

Ghyang Phedi Secondary School of Nuwakot saw 16 of the 17 students fail in the recent Secondary Education Examination (SEE), a staggering 95 percent failure rate that underscores significant deficiencies in the school’s educational system. A closer observation reveals multiple contributing factors, including prevalent child marriage, with some students already having children, which disrupts their focus and continuity in academics. Additionally, underqualified teachers and an insufficient number of staff have resulted in a substandard quality of education compared to private schools.

Geographical challenges exacerbate these issues, with many students forced to walk for hours to attend school, creating significant physical and time burdens. Unlike students in private schools who often attend extra tuition classes, students from Ghyang Phedi Secondary School are typically engaged in household chores after school, further detracting from their academic pursuits.

This problem is not isolated to Ghyang Phedi Secondary School but is indicative of a widespread issue across Nepal. An alarming 52.13 percent of SEE students nationwide have been categorized as non-graded, meaning that more students failed than passed—a record high in the last five years. This rise in the failure rate coincides with a policy change in Nepal's grading system. Since 2016, students needed a 1.6 GPA to progress to grade XI, regardless of individual subject scores. However, starting this year, students must achieve at least 35 percent in each subject, both in theory and internal assessments, to advance. Failure to meet these criteria necessitates retaking the subject, even if the overall GPA exceeds 1.6. This change, intended to reform the education system and improve the quality of human resources, has made it more difficult for students to pass. However, expecting meaningful results without adequate investment in resources is unrealistic.

Class differences, economic disparities, geographical challenges, and societal structures remain substantial barriers to quality education in Nepal. For instance, Bagmati Province had a failure rate of 33.88 percent, while Karnali Province saw a failure rate of 50.02 percent. In Lumbini Province, 61.2 percent of students failed, and Sudurpaschim Province had the highest failure rate at 68.12 percent. The stark contrast between private and government schools has been evident across Nepal for decades. Private schools consistently produce better results due to better staffing, funding, infrastructure, and access to course materials. Students from more affluent backgrounds attend private schools, while others are compelled to attend under-resourced government schools. Bagmati Province, which has the highest number of private schools, also has the lowest failure rate, highlighting the role of economic and class disparity in the quality of education.

Geographical challenges further compound these issues. Bagmati Province, with the best transportation infrastructure, has the highest number of students appearing for the SEE exam. In contrast, students in other provinces must walk for hours to attend school, depriving them of easy access to education. Only 53,446 students appeared for the SEE exam from Sudurpaschim Province, compared to 99,872 students from Bagmati Province.

Educationist Biddhyanath Koirala says that the results are affected by teachers’ inability to teach according to the interests and needs of students. He also noted that students and their guardians do not seem serious about education. However, these results are not merely due to a lack of motivation among students but reflect deeper problems embedded in the education system. The inability of government schools to provide quality education has been a major contributing factor.

Vice-principal of Ghyang Phedi Secondary School Prem Syangtan echoed these sentiments, stating that the problem is not limited to their school but is a nationwide issue affecting government schools. Students are weak at a basic level due to the lack of qualified teachers. Syangtan says that in private schools, underperforming teachers are removed, whereas this cannot happen in government schools. Private schools are driven by the goal of achieving high scores, while government schools struggle to complete the syllabus. Syangtan is dissatisfied with the current education system and calls for an urgent need to reform Nepal’s education system. 

It is the government’s duty to ensure the quality education in all government schools by hiring qualified teachers, conducting parent orientation programs, improving infrastructure, and providing academic support to students after school hours.