By Editorial Desk – Independent Review
Over recent weeks, The British College (TBC) Nepal’s leading UK-affiliated higher education institution which - has been subjected to a sustained campaign of misinformation, coordinated social-media manipulation, selective online reporting, and organised public pressure.

In Nepal, education represents family honour, lifelong savings, and future security. Therefore, clarity, facts, and full transparency are essential.

A detailed examination of documented evidence, student records, government approvals, institutional correspondence, mediation records, digital communication logs, and police documentation establishes that what initially appeared to be a student protest was, in reality, a coordinated attempt to extract large sums of money from the institution under the banner of a so-called Gen Z movement, combined with reputational sabotage and institutional destabilisation.

This article presents a complete factual and chronological account for the benefit of students, parents, regulators, policymakers, and the general public.

About The British College (TBC): Institutional Context for Nepal
Founded in 2011, The British College has grown into Nepal’s most internationally integrated higher education institution, delivering globally recognised British university degrees within Nepal.

Key Institutional Strengths:
- Only UK Government (BAC) accredited college in Nepal
- Fully regulated and approved by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
- Academic partnerships with leading UK universities:
> University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)
> Leeds Beckett University
- Over 15 years of continuous academic operation
- Nearly 1,500 currently enrolled students
- Thousands of alumni worldwide
- Campuses and operations across: Nepal, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates (Dubai) and Canada

TBC’s founding mission has always been clear:
To bring world-class British higher education to Nepal so students can access global opportunities without leaving their country.

Background: How the Situation Started
The controversy began following the return of nine Nepali students from Dubai, alongside agitation led by a first-year Hospitality Management (HM) student, Priyanka Nepal, and her senior Aashuv KC, a Higher National Diploma (HND) student at The Woolwich Institute (TWI), Dubai, which operates under full UAE government licensing and KHDA regulation.

It is critical to highlight:
Over three dozen Nepali students continue to study successfully in Dubai, progressing academically, securing internships, and moving into hospitality careers.

The nine returnees therefore represent a very small minority, not a systemic institutional issue.

Key Trigger Events in Dubai
Misconduct Warning
- Aashuv KC was formally warned by TWI Dubai for repeated misconduct and inappropriate behaviour toward lecturers and staff, with potential disciplinary action pending.

Organised Influence & Manipulation
Following this warning:
- Aashuv KC and Priyanka Nepal began influencing other Nepali students to abandon their studies and return to Nepal.
-WhatsApp communications show planned coordination to create maximum public noise, with the explicit goal of forcing TBC to pay large financial settlements.
-Students were promised NPR 2 crore each, allegedly using political influence through a so-called Gen Z government movement.
This marked the point where a personal disciplinary issue escalated into an organised financial extortion strategy.

Fabricated Claims and Misinformation Campaign
1. False Allegations About Academic Legitimacy

Priyanka Nepal publicly claimed:
- TBC’s foundation programme was invalid.
- It was not approved by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
- Students were misled into believing they were enrolled directly in degree programmes.

Verified Facts:
- The foundation programme was formally approved by Nepal’s Ministry of Education, supported by official approval letters.
- All marketing brochures, admissions documents, and official website content — dated before her enrolment — clearly describe the programme as a degree pathway programme, not a direct degree.
- Aashuv KC completed the same pathway programmesix month earlier, confirming full awareness.
- On her own TikTok posts, Priyanka acknowledged she expected to study Pearson HND in Dubai and undertake internships, confirming full prior understanding.
- She also publicly acknowledged that final-year top-up leads to full UK degree, confirming clarity of academic pathway.

These facts conclusively disprove allegations of academic deception.

2. False Allegations About Dubai Experience
Claims circulated included:
- Students sleeping on the streets
- No accommodation
- No internships
- TWI Dubai being bogus

Verified Facts:
- TWI Dubai is fully licensed under Dubai Knowledge Village and KHDA regulatory framework.
- Accommodation was provided as per contract. Loss of housing resulted from individual negligence, not institutional failure.
- Multiple internship opportunities were arranged, despite initial rejections.
- The nine returnees voluntarily refused internships and returned to Nepal.

Meanwhile:
- Over three dozen Nepali students remain in Dubai, progressing successfully.
- They submitted video and audio evidence confirming positive academic and internship experiences.
- Several confirmed they were pressured by Aashuv and Priyanka to abandon their studies and join protests, which they refused as no legitimate grievance existed.

Escalation into Organised Disruption in Nepal
After returning to Nepal:
- The nine Dubai returnees, supported by a small group of first year HM students influenced by Priyanka, organised aggressive protests inside TBC.

Documented incidents included:
- Locking teachers inside rooms
- Harassing academic and administrative staff
- Verbal abuse and intimidation
- Continuous live-streaming on TikTok and Instagram

Despite this, TBC immediately initiated peaceful resolution efforts, meeting parents and students and offering amicable academic solutions.

External Mobilisation and Campus Security Incident
As the agitation intensified, Priyanka Nepal and her associates mobilised over 10 unrelated individuals affiliated with student unions of various political parties, none of whom had any academic connection with TBC.

These individuals stormed the TBC campus, creating intimidation and disorder. During this incident:
- Campus operations were disrupted.
- Property damage occurred.
- Students and staff were placed under psychological distress and fear.

With timely intervention by Nepal Police, further escalation and serious damage were successfully prevented, restoring order and ensuring campus safety.
This incident demonstrated that the agitation had moved far beyond legitimate student concerns and evolved into organised external interference aimed at creating chaos, fear, and reputational harm.
Nepal Government NOC Suspension & TBC’s Goodwill Response
The Nepal Government temporarily suspended No Objection Certificates (NOC) for UAE study visas for several colleges nationwide.
This decision:
- Was a national regulatory action due to complaints against unregulated institutions operating outside Dubai,
- Was not caused by TBC,
- Was entirely beyond TBC’s contractual obligations.

Nevertheless, as a goodwill gesture, TBC:
- Contacted all affected students and parents,
- Offered multiple academic pathways:
> Programme transfers
> Course changes
> Transfers to alternative colleges
> Full refunds
> Maintenance cost support

These actions went far beyond legal duty, reflecting strong institutional responsibility.
Resolution Outcomes

TBC proposed:
- Full tuition refunds
- Maintenance cost support
- Academic transfers
- Course changes

Outcomes:
- Eight of the nine Dubai returnees accepted settlements.
- One voluntarily returned to Dubai, admitting manipulation.

However, Priyanka Nepal and Sajina Khadka:
- Rejected all mediation efforts involving the police, family members, IPEAN, and the Ministry.

Demand and Extortion Attempt
- Priyanka Nepal demanded NPR 20 million.
- Her mother demanded NPR 5 million.

The college firmly rejected these demands.

source: The British College