- Nepal will provide free visas for international students and multiple-entry visas for their parents.
- An umbrella law will streamline university operations and improve governance in higher education.
- Universities will receive grants based on quality, enrollment, and infrastructure, with mandatory academic calendars.
In an attempt to boost its attraction to foreign students, the Nepalese government has introduced a new policy that entails providing free visas for foreign students who pursue studies in Nepali universities. The move was announced by Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel while presenting the budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
According to this new policy, foreign students are going to get free visas which will be valid for the full period of their study programs. Also, parents or guardians of foreign students will be given multiple-entry visas, which will make it easier to visit and take care of their children while they study abroad.
To further enhance the quality and administration of higher education in Nepal, the government intends to come up with an overarching umbrella law that will streamline the operations of universities. The law is set to promote uniform governance and academic frameworks within different institutions, thus improving the education sector as a whole.
In addition to increasing foreign scholarships, the government seeks to restructure university departments and faculties to be more aligned with present education requirements. Among the primary goals of this effort is the decrease of students' pursuit of education overseas through the promotion of local universities as attractive and competitive destinations. In addition, a strong regulatory framework for higher education will be formed through the restructuring of the current university commission, such that the institutions are committed to high levels of education.
Minister Paudel stressed that the universities will be granted financial grants following various criteria, such as educational quality, number of students enrolled, and infrastructure development. For the purposes of enhancing accountability, there will be a mandatory academic calendar where universities will have to release their schedules prior to the start of each academic session. Non-compliance with this provision will lead to withholding grants, so as to ensure institutions have a focus on quality education.
This strategic move by the Nepalese government not only aims to attract foreign students but also seeks to bolster the domestic higher education system, making it a viable option for students both locally and internationally.
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