The interview with Prof. Dr. Devraj Adhikari, Chairperson of the University Grants Commission, explores the evolving landscape of engineering education in Nepal. Government initiatives, including significant investments and full scholarships, aim to produce 300 engineers annually. While engineering enrollments have increased, some colleges still face lower student numbers due to a mismatch between the number of colleges and available students. Civil and Computer engineering are the most popular disciplines, reflecting market demand.
Despite improvements in education quality, as evidenced by higher pass rates, challenges such as brain drain, inadequate infrastructure, and limited industry-academia collaboration persist. Prof. Dr. Adhikari emphasizes the need for universities to actively promote their programs, ensure timely exams, and adapt curricula to better meet industry needs. He remains optimistic about the future of engineering education, advocating for continuous improvement, international collaborations, and creating an environment that encourages students to stay and work in Nepal.