INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Nepal's education sector has witnessed remarkable growth since the democratic transition in the 1990s, with increasing
student enrollment numbers
According to the National Examination Board (NEB), 464,785 students appeared in the Secondary Education Examinations (SEE) in the most
The trend continues into higher education, with 385,236 students sitting for the grade 12 board exams
The University Grants Commission (UGC) reports that 422,915 students are currently pursuing various programmes across the country's 11
Each year, a significant number of these students graduate with bachelor's and master's degrees, joining the ranks of their respective alma
This burgeoning population of graduates represents an immense, yet largely untapped, resource for Nepal's educational institutions
While these students may not be in a position to support their alma maters immediately after graduation, their potential for contribution
grows significantly over time
However, our recent research shows that a critical piece of the puzzle is missing, that is, a systematic engagement and utilisation of
alumni networks to enhance the quality and sustainability of Nepal's education system.Despite the vast number of graduates produced
annually, many institutions lack structured mechanisms to maintain connections with their alumni and harness their potential contributions
According to a survey we conducted through the Nexus Institute of Research and Innovation (NIRI), Nepal, which sampled 44 schools and
colleges in the Kathmandu Valley, only 24 have established alumni associations
Of these 24 associations, only 14 are currently active, indicating a high rate of dormancy or ineffectiveness among existing alumni networks
Nine of the sampled institutions fail to recognize the importance of alumni associations altogether
This statistic underscores a profound lack of awareness about the potential impact of engaged alumni on institutional development and
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The research also revealed that two of the sampled associations have been supporting students' education though
Furthermore, 12 other active associations are contributing in diverse, non-monetary ways that span from supporting orientation programmes,
upgrading libraries to facilitating job placements
These positive examples, however, stand in stark contrast to the overall landscape of alumni engagement in Nepal's education sector despite
the fact that the culture of giving is deeply ingrained in Nepali society, manifesting in various social and religious contexts.The concept
of alumni philanthropy has deep historical roots, tracing back to 1648 when Harvard College alumni donated land to their alma mater
This act of generosity sparked a global movement that has since transformed the landscape of higher education funding and engagement
In 2020, this tradition reached new heights, with elite American institutions collecting large endowments from various contributors,
Harvard University led the pack with a remarkable $40.8 billion, followed closely by Yale ($30.3 billion), Stanford ($26.5 billion) and
Princeton ($26.1 billion).
In neighbouring India, prestigious institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT)
in Bombay and Kanpur have successfully cultivated active and generous alumni networks, demonstrating the potential for such engagement in
Nepal's journey with alumni associations is very recent
The pioneer in this field was St
Xavier's School in Lalitpur, establishing the country's first alumni association in 1964.Budhanilkantha and St
Mary's School followed suit in 1982 and 1998, respectively
Their success stories offer valuable insights into the potential of well-organised alumni networks in Nepal.Kamal Keshari Tuladhar, past
president of ASMAN (Association of St
Mary's Alumnae Nepal), sheds light on the challenges hindering widespread alumni engagement in Nepal
She identifies key issues, such as the lack of proactive outreach from schools to their former students and the absence of initiatives to
She says students harbour fond memories and have a soft spot for their alma maters, presenting a unique opportunity for schools to nurture
these sentiments into lasting bonds
She suggests the schools should leverage modern communication tools, such as email, to maintain regular contact with their alumni
Additionally, she recommends inviting former students to school functions and events, creating opportunities for meaningful engagement and
fostering a sense of continued belonging.Tilak Bhusal, a Pulchowk Campus graduate, currently pursuing a Master's degree in the USA, aspires
to enhance the research opportunities in Nepal after completing his studies
Bhusal's aspiration reflects a broader trend among Nepali students studying abroad
The key challenge lies in creating avenues for these accomplished individuals to meaningfully contribute to their alma maters and Nepal's
education sector upon their return
Similarly, Santosh Bisht, President of the Society of Ex-Budhanilkantha Students (SEBS), suggested personalised outreach, simplification of
the donation process, utilising influential alumni to reach out to their peers, and ensuring transparency on the use of donation and tax
benefits on charity.For Nepal to fully realise the potential of its growing alumni population, educational institutions must prioritise the
establishment and activation of alumni associations
This requires not only raising awareness about the importance of alumni networks, but also implementing practical strategies to maintain
connections with former students
By leveraging the deep-seated culture of giving in Nepali society and aligning it with educational needs, schools and universities can
secure the long-term support necessary for sustained growth and improvement.Likewise, the concerned authorities like the UGC and NEB should
take decisive action to unleash the power of alumni associations
This means developing policies that encourage the formation and activation of these networks, providing training and resources to
institutions on alumni engagement, and fostering a culture of giving back among graduates
By doing so, Nepal can unlock a wealth of resources that have the potential to transform its education sector, bridging the gap between the
aspirations of its students and the quality of education they receive.Thapa is a researcher at NIRI, Nepal
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://thehimalayantimes.com