Nepali students duped by various academic institutes in the United Arab Emirates have complained that Nepali authorities have been reluctant to expedite investigations into the institutions and the education consultancies operating on their behalf.

Following pressure from students who were sent back after learning that they had been cheated in various cities across the Gulf nation, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology began investigating the matter. Likewise, the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also collected information on the affected students and the colleges and the consultancies involved.

However, around two months after the probe began, government agencies have yet to come up with concrete answers on the progress, prompting the students to question the authorities' intention. The students, organised under the informal campaign “Scan the Scammers”, say delay in concrete action leaves them disappointed.

“The students have lost not just money but also a crucial period of their life. They are in a dilemma over whether to continue further studies as the government remains undecided,” said Biswajeet Kumar Yadav, coordinator of the campaign involving around 25 members. He claimed that other than halting the issuance of No Objection Certificates for non-accredited institutions, the government has taken no initiative to provide justice to the students.

Starting on November 14, the education ministry has been issuing No Objection Certificates only for institutions accredited by the UAE’s Commission of Academic Accreditation.

As claimed by the students, the officials do not have clear answers about the investigation. Shree Prasad Bhattarai, chief of the Higher Education Division of the education ministry, said the investigation is ongoing and it is hard to say when it will complete.

“We are doing our part and Nepal Police are also investigating in their own way,” said Bhattarai. “This cannot be resolved by the education ministry alone. We are coordinating with the foreign ministry and other agencies.”

Yadav claims that officials at both the ministries no longer entertain them saying that investigation takes time and they need to have patience. “We have found that the education consultancies have been using their political and financial influence to delay the investigation,” said Yadav.

Issuing a statement on Saturday, the victimised students have demanded a high-level committee with their representation to investigate the matter.

They have also demanded compensation for the affected students, and action against the UAE-based institution in coordination with the UAE government.

After the complaints of duping, the Nepali Embassy in Abu Dhabi noted that several education consultancies in Nepal have been sending students to universities, colleges, and training centres based in UAE’s free zones. According to complaints received, many of these institutions fail to meet academic standards, falsely claim affiliations with foreign universities, lack proper infrastructure, and operate temporarily from rented apartments before shifting students to online classes. Students also allege that promised facilities, education quality, and employment opportunities were never delivered.

Those affected include Nepali students currently living in the UAE as well as many who have already returned home without completing their studies. A significant number came back after classes were irregular or nonexistent, promised jobs not given, and discovery that the institutions were little more than training centres.

Students claim that Nepal-based education consultancies acted as agents for these unaccredited institutions, promoting them as international universities and promising part-time employment sufficient to cover living and education costs.

Many of these institutions are registered in free zones such as Ajman, Sharjah, and Dubai, where business setup is relatively easy and academic oversight limited. Students allege that this loophole allows fake universities to operate with minimal scrutiny. Promotional materials and websites often depict large campuses and modern facilities, but in reality, several institutions function from just a few rooms, with most classes conducted online.

Dozens of returnee students have filed complaints with the Nepali Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the education ministry.