The University Grants Commission will take on the responsibility for assessing the equivalence of foreign higher education academic certificates and degrees. This change is outlined in a proposed bill to amend certain Nepal Acts currently being reviewed in Parliament. The bill specifies that the commission will be responsible for evaluating the educational degrees conferred by foreign universities and other academic institutions. Until now, this task has been handled by Tribhuvan University, as per the decision of the Council of Ministers since 2030.
The University has faced scrutiny for its alleged discriminatory and inconsistent approach to granting degree equivalence. Students have voiced their grievances, citing cumbersome and protracted procedures. Tribhuvan University has also extended equivalency to domestic universities of comparable standing. Furthermore, students have experienced difficulties as government agencies do not acknowledge educational certificates from other universities without prior equivalence approval from Tribhuvan University.
In the amendment section of the University Grants Commission Act of 2050, the commission has been granted the authority to determine educational degree equivalency, ensure credit transfers, and ensure quality assurance. Previously, the commission did not have the authority to perform these tasks.
The bill states, "In cases where the equivalency of any foreign university or sister educational institution's academic degree has been determined according to prevailing laws, the right to determine equivalency shall not be re-examined. However, the university or educational institution that has determined the equivalency, along with detailed documentation, shall submit it to the commission for re-evaluation within three months."
A provision exists stipulating that foreign universities or affiliated educational institutions, whose academic degrees have already received equivalence recognition from the commission, will not undergo further evaluation. The commission will regularly review and disclose information regarding the educational degrees and institutions for which equivalencies have been granted. Scholars had previously recommended granting the commission authority over equivalence-related matters. The commission will gain the jurisdiction to oversee equivalence-related activities only after the bill is approved by Parliament.
The Education Policy of 2076 also acknowledges the involvement of the Commission for Equivalence Determination in educational affairs. In 2078, there was a proposal to assign the commission the responsibility for these tasks, which was suggested to the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology. Within the commission's jurisdiction, there exists a provision for establishing a division and a committee dedicated to equivalence assessment.
During the commission's meetings, it became evident that it was unnecessary to offer recommendations to the government, particularly regarding the provision of equivalence for degrees and certificates issued by local universities and educational institutions.
Previously, the Program Development Center was responsible for these functions, following the Equivalence Work Procedure. The Executive Council has opted to revise the procedure in case any issues arise in the distribution of equivalence. Bishnu Aryal, the Head of the Executive Council, noted that efforts have been made to streamline the equivalence process.
The University Grants Commission has now assumed responsibility for tasks related to equivalence, as Vice President Dharma Kant Banskota has conveyed. Banskota noted that while the UGC has taken over the equivalence-related duties, they will revisit the matter only in cases involving conflicts or inconsistencies. They have also made an appeal to the government and the commission to address such instances.
The Executive Council has independently decided to confer equivalence to the top 500 universities globally. Aryal clarified that when documentation for degrees from universities ranked 1 to 500 in the Times Higher Education list is provided, equivalence will be granted.
He stated, "Such degrees do not undergo plagiarism assessments, and equivalence is not determined by factors such as eligibility for admission, study duration, credits, or the curriculum of the university." Students had expressed concerns about the complex and protracted procedure that TU demanded, even for attaining equivalence for degrees obtained from renowned international universities. Some students encountered challenges, including rejections, in their pursuit of equivalence.
Meanwhile, other universities in Nepal and prestigious global institutions have revised their admission criteria, study durations, credit transfer policies, and curriculum content, aligning them with current standards and extensive academic research. Previously, TU had exercised caution when considering equivalence for universities employing different educational approaches. However, a recent decision has been made not to intervene in such matters.
Chief Aryal explained that if a university's plagiarism test is documented within the transcripts along with the official signature, they will consider alternative equivalence criteria. He also pointed out the removal of the previous requirement to submit practical documents during the application process.
He clarified, "Students will not practically need to provide a letter of appointment from the university where their research director or supervisor holds a regular professor position. In cases where this isn't applicable, a letter of permission from the university where the student is employed as a regular teacher will also not be required."
Similarly, the Executive Council has also decided not to grant equivalence to universities like Purbanchal University, Lumbini Technological University, Mid-West University, Far-Western University, Agriculture and Forestry University, and Nepal Open University. These universities have been given the authority, as per their own laws, to recognize the educational degrees of domestic and foreign universities or educational institutions and determine the equivalence and level of various educational degrees offered by the university.
Based on the same decision of the Cabinet, government bodies such as the Public Service Commission are also obligated to spend time and money when seeking equivalence from Tribhuvan University. Now, only those students who apply to Tri-Vikram or enroll for studies at TU will be eligible for equivalence, as per the decision of the Executive Council.
When requested by the central, provincial, or local governments, Tribhuvan University has indicated that universities operating within Nepal could also qualify for equivalence. The decision specifies, "Regarding employment purposes, teachers and staff members who have become permanent employees of Tribhuvan University, with their credentials duly verified, will receive equivalence for all degrees acquired prior to their employment."
This equivalence provision had initially opened the door for employment and opportunities based on counterfeit educational certificates, leading to potential risks and difficulties.
