10% compulsory scholarship implemented in universities in Nepal, more than 72 thousand students will get benefit

Kathmandu. The Government of Nepal has decided to fully implement the 10 percent compulsory scholarship system at the university level from this academic session.

After the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology issued instructions to all 21 universities and 8 health science establishments in the country, various universities have invited applications for scholarships.

If this system is implemented effectively, then about 72,929 students studying at undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD level will get the opportunity to get free education on full scholarship.

At present 7,29,294 students are studying in universities and health science institutions (medical colleges) across the country.

Shri Prasad Bhattarai, head of the Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education, said that the provision of 10 percent scholarship already exists, but it was not being followed systematically.

He said, “Now it will be mandatory for all universities and institutions to implement this system. Its effective implementation will provide relief to a large number of students wishing to pursue higher education.”

According to the Higher Education Studies Scholarship Directory of the University Grants Commission (UGC), scholarships will be provided to meritorious, Dalit, Muslim, economically weaker and low income group families, conflict affected and students from backward and targeted communities.

Apart from this, universities will also be able to set additional eligibility criteria as per their respective laws, rules and directories.

There are currently 15 federal universities, 6 provincial universities and 8 health science establishments operating in Nepal. Apart from this, 34,465 students are studying in 58 colleges affiliated with foreign universities.

This rule will be compulsorily applicable in these colleges also. The legal provision of 10 percent scholarship in higher education is not new, but it could not be effectively implemented in most universities due to lack of transparent system, regular monitoring and reliable data.

This time, the Education Ministry has directed all universities to implement mandatory scholarships, release public information, compile data and adopt a transparent selection process.

Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel said that based on the successful experience of the scholarship system implemented in the schools of Kathmandu Municipal Corporation, it is now being institutionalized at the university level also.

He wrote on social media, “Based on the experience gained from the effective implementation of the scholarship system in the school system of Kathmandu Municipal Corporation, it is now being institutionalized at the university level as well.

Under this, it will be mandatory to give full scholarship to at least 10 percent students in all the universities and colleges running under them.”

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