Lumbini: The Education, Health, and Information Technology Committee of the House of Representatives has announced its intention to discuss the issues of Lumbini Buddhist University with the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, and to direct the government for resolution. The parliamentary committee expressed serious concern about resolving higher education and Lumbini Buddhist University’s problems.
The committee team, which came to Lumbini for a study visit of the university, held discussions on Education Day. The committee concluded that the university, established for research in Buddhist philosophy, has the potential to gain international recognition and attract foreign students.
The study team emphasized that the government should give special attention to the university as a specialized institution. Chairperson of the committee, Ammar Bahadur Thapa, said, “We will discuss the issues of the university and higher education policies with the Ministry and make necessary recommendations. This university has the potential to expand internationally, and it deserves special importance.”
During the discussion, Registrar of the university, Dr. Tilakram Acharya, briefed the committee about the university’s status and challenges. He highlighted the need to amend the university’s Act to facilitate infrastructure development as per its preamble. Dr. Acharya urged the committee to address issues such as trustee board regulations, policy arrangements for equivalence of degrees, easing international faculty and student exchanges, ensuring sufficient budget allocations, and solving equivalency issues faced by students studying in Buddhist monasteries.
He emphasized that budget allocation should not be based on the number of students but rather on the specialized nature of the university. He also expressed concerns about the exclusion of Buddhist Natural Medicine, known as Sowa Rigpa, from medical education lists and the inability of students who have completed archaeology studies to compete in public service exams, calling for the resolution of such problems.
Chairperson Thapa expressed a commitment to address higher education policies and ongoing legislation, ensuring that certain issues are resolved through policy.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Subarna Lal Bajracharya emphasized the need for government facilitation in attracting investment for the university’s development. He also mentioned the start of short-term educational programs and degree courses aimed at bringing in international students, requesting policy facilitation for such initiatives.
Dr. Bajracharya mentioned the university’s ongoing efforts to attract international students through its educational development project in Devdaha. He pointed out that bringing in international students would also encourage domestic students to stay, and students seeking foreign education could benefit from a two-year study program in Nepal followed by two years abroad. He informed that agreements have been signed with universities in China, Japan, Russia, India, and the United States to implement this.
Committee member Chhabilal Bishwakarma suggested that the government should designate the Devdaha project as a national pride project and prepare accordingly. Another member, Devendra Poudel, said that discussions would be held to resolve the issues faced by the university and necessary instructions would be given. He stated that the university could be established as a strong institution in the country and that the government should work towards building its international recognition. He also advised the university to focus on producing skilled and capable manpower to enhance its unique identity.
Similarly, member Dig Bahadur Limbu highlighted that the university’s identity would be rooted in producing manpower imbued with Buddhist values. He committed to parliamentary discussions on project implementation and problem-solving.
Member Dipa Sharma emphasized the importance of the university in promoting global peace and establishing international recognition. She stressed the importance of advancing the university as a national asset.
Member Ram Prasad Chaudhary suggested that modern educational programs should be introduced to increase the declining student numbers at the university.
During the program, hosted by the university’s chief of administration, Churamani Pokharel, Director of Planning and Evaluation, Dr. Kul Prasad Khanal, provided insights into the university’s programs and strategies. The parliamentary committee conducted a two-day observation of various departments of the university.