Bhaktapur, May 25th: The "First National Law Education Conference-2081," organized by Kathmandu School of Law and Madhesh University, began today in Bhaktapur. The conference is expected to feature discussions among experts from across the country about the need to modernize law school curricula.
Inaugurating the conference held at Kathmandu School of Law in Dadhikot, Bhaktapur, Professor Dr. Devraj Adhikari, Chairman of the University Grants Commission, highlighted the issue of Nepali students being forced to study abroad due to universities taking up to 17 months to publish exam results. He emphasized that the inability to publish results on time is the major problem for universities and that this challenge will persist until they are addressed. "How can students and parents trust our universities if exam results aren't released on time? When results are delayed by 17 months, it not only harms students' futures but also the country. How can students stay in Nepal under these circumstances?" he questioned.
Dr. Adhikari stressed the need for broad discussions with experts to revise outdated university curriculums. He advocated for creating market-oriented programs that are relevant to the current times and address national needs, focusing on solving national problems and job creation. He further noted that despite discussions about enhancing the international recognition of Nepali universities, the research aspect remains weak.
He informed the audience that the University Grants Commission plans to spend a budget of one billion rupees this year solely on research. "Focusing only on internationalizing Nepali universities won't suffice; research is also crucial! Engage in research; the Commission will spend one billion rupees on it this year. Establish new faculties, and we'll support you," he declared.
Regarding students studying abroad, Dr. Adhikari explained that foreign universities often inquire whether the colleges students attended in Nepal are accredited by the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Unit (QAAU). He assured that the Commission would support Nepali colleges in obtaining QAA accreditation.
Prof. Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula, Executive Director of Kathmandu School of Law, informed the program that 13 universities are participating in the conference. He expressed confidence that the two-day discussions involving presentations of 50 research papers by two students and two teachers each from all law campuses and deliberations on curriculum revision would be highly productive.
He mentioned that Kathmandu School of Law was the first college in Nepal to implement a five-year BALLB program and highlighted the country's significant achievement when Purbanchal University agreed to implement the five-year program, acknowledging the challenging decision.
Prof. Dr. Sangroula informed the gathering that Kathmandu School of Law was the first to implement the five-year program, followed by Nepal Law Campus (second) and Kathmandu University School of Law ten years later (third). Currently, 13 campuses across the country offer the BALLB program.
Speakers like Prakash Bahadur Pandey of the Nepal Bar Association, its President Gopal Krishna Ghimire, Harishankar Niroula, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, and senior advocate Badri Bahadur Karki also emphasized the critical need for curriculum revision during the program.
