Kathmandu University (KU) and Australia’s Crown Institute of Higher Education have entered into an agreement to begin dual degrees Bachelor Degree programmes in various disciplines beginning with the 2023-24 academic year.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday, the two institutions also agreed on conducting joint research, exchange of faculty, students, and staff, and exchange of materials, publication, and information, among other academic activities.

As part of the dual degree programme, students spend two years in Nepal and two more years in Australia. After completing the programme, the graduates receive degrees from both the universities.

As per the agreement, the two institutions have agreed to collaborate in joint teaching and research, exchange of academic materials, intellectual enrichment of staff and students, co-supervision of students, study tours, and seminars, among others.

Speaking at the MoU signing programme, representatives from the twin institutions shared their visions for the dual degree programmes aimed at strengthening the academic relationship between the two countries.

The agreement was signed in the presence of KU Vice-Chancellor Professor Bhola Thapa and Australian Ambassador to Nepal Felicity Volk.

Speaking at the programme organised to mark the signing of the agreement, Australian Ambassador to Nepal Felicity Volk educational exchange was the bedrock of the Australia-Nepal relationship. “There have, however, been concerns about a misbalance in the relationship, as it is often a one-way traffic,” Volk said.

“The loss of a generation of youth, including students, to overseas locations is one of the greatest challenges Nepal faces. As part of its response to this challenge, it’s imperative that the government of Nepal develop viable policies and practices to support quality education in Nepal and to facilitate international students to enrol in study programs here,” Volk added.

Volk highlighted the need for Nepal to introduce a higher education policy suited to the twenty-first century.

KU Vice-Chancellor Professor Bhola Thapa said the signing of the agreement was a step towards the making of a university in the truest sense. Thapa added the agreement was part of KU’s initiative to partner with the best global educational institutes to provide offer high-quality education.

“This is the first time we are starting a formal Bachelor’s Degree programme in Australia. This is a new beginning for the entire higher education system in Nepal and not just KU,” Thapa said.

KU Registrar Professor Achyut Wagle said the agreement was a step towards building a unique brand of education to provide excellent education to the next generation of students.

“We already see some good prospects, and we need to keep exploring new avenues for collaboration. Let’s build a separate and unique brand of education for providing excellent education to the next generation of students," Wagle further stated.

KU School of Science Dean Professor Manish Pokharel and Honorary Consul General of Nepal to Australia and Director of Crown Institute signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions.

Speaking about the collaboration, Prof. Pokharel said it was a new step in the direction of solving problems together and addressing the challenge to realise the common destiny of the two friendly nations.

Khadka said the collaboration would help bring Australian students to Nepal and not just the other way around. “Such collaborations help posit Nepal as a cheaper destination for education and in effect a window to the universe,” Khadka added.