Nov 04, Kathmandu- The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has implemented stricter regulations for teaching institutions associated with foreign universities. Following the approval to offer programs from foreign universities, the oversight of colleges and educational institutions operating in Nepal has begun to intensify.

Recently, two working groups have been established to oversee and structure educational institutions that have long been unregulated. The former education minister, Sumana Shrestha, initiated the formation of a task force. Subsequently, the current Education Minister, Bidya Bhattarai, created an additional task force and solicited recommendations.

Based on the suggestions given by both the working groups, the Ministry of Education has advanced the process of regulation. Education Minister Bhattarai formed a high-level working group under the coordination of Prada Binil Aryal of Tribhuvan University. The working group has submitted its report to the ministry after a month-and-a-half-long study.

The working group suggested that only programs of foreign universities that are within 1000 in the world ranking and have received Quality Assurance Accreditation (QAA) should be conducted.

There is a provision in the guidelines for conducting higher education in relation to foreign educational institutions that they should be in QAA or 1000 ranking. The working group suggested that QAA and 1000 ranking should be made mandatory by correcting the provision in the regulation. Earlier, the working group formed by the former education minister Shrestha and headed by former secretary Shankar Koirala had also suggested the same. The task force of Koirala suggested that the university program should not be more than four days.

The working group suggested that colleges with infrastructure should self-declare and determine the quota. Minister Bhattarai has also decided to give the program only to universities that are in the 'world rank' and have received QAA.

The working group suggested legal and institutional arrangements, foreign universities should receive QAUs for both their institutional and educational programs, student enrollment records should be prepared, and scholarships should be systematically implemented. The Ministry has prepared a detailed action plan for the implementation of those suggestions.

The management of the foreign-affiliated colleges have filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the decision of the minister. They approached the Supreme Court saying that the minister had taken a decision contrary to the guidelines. Currently, 59 colleges of 37 foreign universities are operating in Nepal.