Academics and leaders of Nepal’s industrial sector have agreed to collaborate in producing market-ready management graduates from various educational institutions.

Amid complaints from the industrial and business community that students from management schools are not competent enough to take up the market jobs, Pokhara University on Tuesday sought suggestions from industry leaders on what needed to be included in the curriculum to produce the graduates that meet the market standard. The university is revising its management curricula for the bachelor’s and master’s levels.

Addressing the interaction, professor Mahananda Chalise, who chairs the management subject committee, said the academia is often blamed for failing to produce market-compatible skilled human resources. “We are open to incorporating everything the industrial and business community wants into the curriculum,” Chalise said. “The draft curriculum is ready. It will be finalised as per the suggestions.”

Officials from the university said they are flexible with the curriculum to modify it in line with international standards and the market needs. They also said the curriculum the university is preparing internalises the use of technology with due focus on research. Stating that the university is making changes not just in the curriculum but also in the pedagogy, officials said the university will incorporate community engagement and industry attachment programmes as a part of the course.

“Producing human capital makes no sense if that doesn’t fit the market,” said Daya Raj Dhakal, dean of the faculty of management studies at the university. “We are not just focused on imparting knowledge but also the skills and right attitudes.”

Giving their suggestions, representatives of many industrial and business houses said universities should be able to produce human resources that can create value for themselves.

Speaking at the programme, Shekhar Golchha, former president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said it was saddening that an average of around a million youths were leaving the country yearly.

“When youths lose hope in their homeland, that is the most unfortunate thing for the country,” he said. “We—the government, private sector and academia—must take collective responsibility for this situation. Let's work together to change this pessimistic situation. There is a long way to go.”

Representatives of the industry and business sector said there is a huge skills gap in the management graduates. “This situation can be overcome if academia and the private sector work hand in hand,” said Ranjit Acharya, chief executive officer of Prisma Advertising.

Private sector leaders also said it was necessary for the teaching-learning process to go beyond classrooms. They also pointed out the flaws in the evaluation system as well while urging the academic sector to invest more in faculty development.

“We are ready for collaboration with the academia,” said Rajan Shakya, chief executive officer at the KGH Group. “Send your student to us. We will happily share the knowledge and experience we have.”