Education experts today said there was need to formulate clear policies on inviting foreign students to Nepal for higher studies.

Speaking at an interaction organised by Educational Consultancy Association of Nepal (ECAN) to mark its 16th anniversary, Rameshwor Upadhaya, general secretary of Tribhuvan University Teachers Association said Nepal had the appropriate geographical diversity and qualified teachers to attract foreign students but lacked proper policies.

ECAN chief Rajendra Baral stressed the need to introduce policies to make Nepal an education hub for international students. He said, “We have been counseling Nepali students. At the same time, we want to invite foreign students. But we are helpless as there is no clear policy, quality curricula and infrastructure in Nepali universities.”

Buddi Prasad Regmi, president of National Educational Consultancies Association said Nepali consultancies had been contributing a lot to the country but the government was not addressing their issues.

He said that they wanted to promote tourism through Nepali students visiting other countries, but the government was not interested.

“We want to make every student a tourism ambassador when they going abroad for studies,” he said.

Other speakers at the programme said that due to political instability, bandhs and other protests, foreigners do not want to come to Nepal though it is a tourist destination.

ECAN also feted Journalist Ganesh Rai, Education Journalists Network and Climax Media for their contribution to the education sector.

source: The Himalayan Times,29 August 2012