In an interview with Er. Dr. Padma Bahadur Shahi, Chairperson of the Nepal Engineering Council (NEC), he discussed the council's key initiatives and the current state of engineering education in Nepal. The NEC is responsible for authorizing colleges to offer engineering courses and assessing the qualifications of engineers. Dr. Shahi emphasized the council's recent integration of internships into all university programs, aimed at enhancing both theoretical and practical knowledge for students. He also addressed concerns about the global competitiveness of Nepalese engineering education, assuring that efforts are underway to make Nepal's engineering certificates internationally recognized, allowing graduates to work abroad more easily.
Dr. Shahi also touched on the challenges facing engineering education in Nepal, including declining student numbers and existing problems within the system. He advised students to choose colleges based on the quality of their faculty, as all institutions follow the same curriculum. He highlighted the relatively high pass rate of Nepalese engineering students compared to other countries, reflecting the quality of education provided. Finally, he offered guidance to engineers and students, encouraging them to focus on improving their skills and contributing to the country's development.