Outflow of money from Nepal for higher education should be stopped: PM Dahal

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the 'economic outflow' from Nepal-like countries of the South for higher education should be stopped.

Addressing the inauguration of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) - North Zone Vice Chancellors' Meet 2024 and the Bharat-Nepal Higher Education Summit organised by Kathmandu University in Dhulikhel, Kavrepalanchok district, Prime Minister Dahal expressed his concern about the 'economic outflow' from countries like Nepal for higher education. He emphasized the need to retain a majority of the youth and their resources within the country itself.

He said, "There is a significant outflow of money from countries like Nepal for higher education. This trend needs to be reversed. We should strive to create an environment that encourages our youth to seek opportunities globally." He highlighted the need to re-evaluate the internationalisation of higher education.

PM Dahal acknowledged that the education sector is grappling with challenges posed by global forces. He noted that the current trend of students and intellectuals being attracted to universities in the North is due to their substantial investment in skills and education development.

He added, "The balance of higher education seems to be tilting towards the North. Although the education system of the North has attracted international students due to its high budget, this situation is not sustainable in the long run."

PM Dahal stated that the rich intellectual heritage, rooted in the native and indigenous knowledge systems of the South, can provide solutions to today's global issues, whether they concern medicine, lifestyle, or peace.

At a meeting themed 'Globalisation and Internationalisation of Higher Education', the Prime Minister expressed, 'We must eliminate the South versus North divide, which is solely based on economic parameters. Instead, we should explore ways to bridge the South and North by finding common ground.'

According to Dahal, the University Chancellor, the assembly holds significant importance in formulating a higher education manifesto for the Global South. 'I am confident that this meeting will serve as a launchpad for utilising our resources to contribute to the evolving global order,' he said.

Kathmandu University, with its 32-year history, is spearheading this initiative from Nepal by drafting such a manifesto."

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