The Round Table Discussion on ‘Academia Industry Alliance’, organised by Purbanchal University School Of Science and Technology (PUSAT), SB Services and Media and Entertainment Skills Council (MESC), has seen speakers from within and beyond borders to discuss the roles of the academic sector to uplift the media and entertainment industry.

With the goals of developing faculty programmes, placement-linked skill development programmes, and setting up business programmes on augmented reality, virtual reality, extended reality and gaming field, the guests from India and Nepal have gathered in Kathmandu to discuss expanding Nepal’s courses throughout the provinces.

Kedar Karki, Minister for Internal Affairs and Law of Province 1, as the chief guest and Chairman Padmashri Ramesh Sippy of the Media & Entertainment Skills Council (MESC) from India spoke alongside Pramila Devi Shakya Bajracharya, secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Deans of the universities in Nepal and several animation companies from India also participated in the two-day programme starting Thursday.

Minister Karki, emphasising the idea of making Nepal a media and entertainment hub, extended his support to creating a viable roadmap through the conclusion of discussions.

“Since technology has been an integral part of our lives, the demand in this industry is more than we can supply,” said Bajracharya, secretary at the Education Ministry who also attended the discussion. “Today, the market isn’t just limited to India or Nepal—the whole world is our market, making employment opportunities more widely available,” she added.

The second day of discussion will involve bankers, stakeholders from Nepal Film Development Board and businesses catering to the media and entertainment sector.