On December 22, 2023 (Poush 6, 2080), the Education, Health, and Information Technology Committee of the House of Representatives engaged in consultations with experts regarding the Nepal University Bill of 2079 BS.
The committee called the experts working in the higher education sector for discussions to enrich the bill further passed by the National Assembly, the upper house of the Federal Parliament.
The experts expressed positivity towards the legislation, designed to address challenges in higher education, and recommended prioritizing quality, autonomy, and expertise. Dr. Arjun Karki, Chair of Nepal University's infrastructure development committee, highlighted the university's autonomy, aiming to offer academic programs covering previously unexplored multidisciplinary subjects within the country.
Dr. Surya Raj Acharya and Dr. Amina Singh, Chairs of the Development Committee, praised the proposed university as unique and timely. The meeting, attended by Ashok Kumar Rai, Minister of Education, Science, and Technology, included discussions on the bill's provision for providing free higher education to students from Dalit, marginalized, disabled, and economically disadvantaged communities.
Committee president Bhanubhakta Joshi conveyed that the bill's passage would be based on expert suggestions received during the deliberations.
