Nepal Open University Explained

Nepal Open University
Native Name:नेपाल खुला विश्वविद्यालय
Native Name Lang:ne
Established:2016
Type:Public
Chancellor:Ashok Kumar Rai
Vice Chancellor:Prof. Shilu Manandhar Bajracharya, PhD
Head Label:Registrar
Head:Dr. Govinda Singh Bista
Students:1,204 (2019)[1]
Campus:Online
City:Lalitpur
Country:Nepal
Website:nou.edu.np

Nepal Open University (Nepali: नेपाल खुला विश्वविद्यालय) is a distance learning public university in Nepal.[2] It was established in 2016 through an act of Parliament.[3] [4] The degrees awarded by the university are treated as equivalent to degrees awarded by any other Nepali University under the purview of the University Grants Commission.

History of Establishment

The initial formal endeavor of establishing an Open University in Nepal can be traced to 1999, when the government became a signatory of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Consortium to Open and Distance Education.[5] The budget speech of Fiscal Year 2008/09 allocated funding to implement Open University concept in order to provide an opportunity to youths who were deprived of getting education during the conflict period.[6] However, the government did not take any concrete action due to the lack of a proper institutional body to initiate implementation of the plan.

Meanwhile, a Canada-based non-profit organization, Canada Forum for Nepal (CFFN) involved in delivering education to the people living in the economically deprived regions of Nepal since 2007,[7] brought together three North American Nepali Diaspora leaders Dr. Ambika P. Adhikari, Dr. Drona Prakash Rasali and Dr. Pramod Dhakal and an Australian Nepali Diaspora leader Dr. Raju Adhikari to initiate the issue of establishing Open University in Nepal as one of the prime agenda for the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA)’s International Coordination Council (ICC), which endorsed the Open University of Nepal (OUN) initiative as its flagship project in 2010.[8] [9]

In two instances, the legislative bills for OUN were tabled in the Parliament. The first one was aborted due to dissolution of the Parliament in May 2012.[10] The second bill was passed by the Parliament on June 30, 2016. and authenticated by the President of Nepal on July 14, 2016.

Administration

Chancellor

The Chancellor is the Head of the university and presides at the convocation of the university. The Minister of Education, Science and Technology serves as Chancellor in an ex-officio capacity.[11]

Vice-Chancellor

The Vice-Chancellor is the executive head of the university.[12]

Registrar

The Registrar is the financial and administrative head of the university.[13]

Faculties

The university consists of three Faculties which offers 16 academic programs comprising courses at Diploma, Bachelor's, Master's and MPhil levels.

Faculty of Management and Law

Faculty of Science, Health and Technology

Faculty of Social Sciences and Education

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Program Introduction 2075-76 . PDF . Nepal Open University.
  2. Web site: Vission Mission & Objectives . Nepal Open University . 4 November 2021.
  3. News: Open University Bill endorsed. 2017-11-14. en.
  4. News: House panel endorses open university bill - The Himalayan Times. 2016-06-02. The Himalayan Times. 2017-11-14. en-US.
  5. Web site: Distance Educations for Computers Undeveloped Country Like in Nepal: Prospects and Challenges. . Chouhan Tara . December 2014 . 11 February 2018 . International Journal of Information and Education Technology.
  6. Web site: Bhattarai Unveils Annual Nepal Budget for 2008/09 . Finance Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai . 19 September 2008 . 11 February 2018 . Nepal Monitor.
  7. Web site: Inclusive Education: A Framework for the New Age of Communication . Pramod Dhakal . 2007 . 11 February 2018 . Canada Foundation for Nepal (CFFN).
  8. Web site: A proposal for an Open University of Nepal for providing higher education to the rural and marginalized people. . Dhakal, P., Adhikari, A., Rasali, D. . 15 December 2015 . 11 February 2018 . Himalayan Research Papers Archives. Nepal Study Center, New Mexico University.
  9. Web site: A White Paper on Open University of Nepal Initiative. . Dhakal, P. . 20 July 2014 . 11 February 2018 . Open University Infrastructure Development Board, Ministry of Education, Kathmandu.
  10. Web site: "CA dissolved; PM proposes fresh election for Nov 22". eKantipur. . 28 May 2012 . 11 February 2018 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402174909/http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/05/28/top-story/ca-dissolved-pm-proposes-fresh-election-for-nov-22/354644.html . 2 April 2015.
  11. 17. नेपाल खुला विश्वविद्यालय ऐन, २०७३. 3. July 14, 2016 . Nepal Open University Act, 2016. Nepali. Prof. Indra Bahadur Karki is currently serving in an acting capacity.
  12. 18. नेपाल खुला विश्वविद्यालय ऐन, २०७३. 3. July 14, 2016 . Nepal Open University Act, 2016. Nepali.
  13. 19. नेपाल खुला विश्वविद्यालय ऐन, २०७३. 3. July 14, 2016 . Nepal Open University Act, 2016. Nepali.