Recently, I came across the article in Nepali Times, “Nepal’s hard working students overseas.” It claimed that “At a recent graduation ceremony of one Australian university, 300 students paraded across the stage to receive their diplomas. All were Nepalis, except one.” Should I be shocked? Amused?
On my recent visit to Nepal, I visited an educational consultancy, where I could see aspiring Nepalese students willing to take financial risks to go abroad. So money coming in through remittances is going out as tuition fees? Then the institutes complain of lower enrollment and insufficient manpower to teach. What’s happening? We need to change the education system radically.
During that visit, I also engaged in enriching discourse with various academicians and educational institutions, discussing the potential integration of ‘Social Justice,’ particularly ‘Engineering Justices,’ into their academic curriculum. The discussion also expanded into the realm of AI-assisted research and its potential influence on the nation’s pedagogical practices.
However, I encountered an entrenched adherence to traditional methods of teaching, which have become rather archaic in today’s fast-paced, technologically driven world. The rigid conformity to these outdated methods hindered any immediate paradigm shift. Yet, the fruitful conversations ignited a sense of urgency within me to highlight the profound impact of innovation and subject matter prevalence in reforming Nepal’s education system.
Nepal’s education system is poised on the cusp of change. Yet, it often seems shackled by invisible inertia, the weight of its history and tradition, which inhibits progress. Introducing a fresh pedagogical perspective emphasizing Social Justice, particularly in fields like Engineering or Medicine, would offer students a more holistic understanding of their world and their role within it. ‘Engineering Justice’ implies ethical and equitable solutions, promoting a sense of responsibility and community involvement in young engineers that would be paramount in a nation like Nepal grappling with various socio-economic issues.
Moreover, the curriculum with contemporary, relevant subject matter ensures that students are not just theoretically proficient but are also practically equipped to navigate the challenges of the real world. Traditional pedagogy, with its rote-learning methods, does little to foster creativity, critical thinking, or problem-solving skills, which are crucial in the 21st-century workspace.
Being an advocate for AI-assisted learning, incorporating AI-assisted research in pedagogy is a game-changer. AI has the potential to revolutionize education by facilitating personalized learning, predictive analytics, and creating interactive learning environments. This will make teaching more efficient and ensure students’ engaging, immersive learning experience. It would also equip them with the skills necessary to excel in an increasingly digitized world. Both teachers and students would benefit from an AI-assisted curriculum.
The role of AI in research cannot be overstated — it’s not only ChatGPT; various tools we are unaware of can be used in research. It accelerates the process of data collection, analysis, and interpretation, making research more accurate and efficient. This would enhance the quality of education and research output in Nepal, fostering an environment of innovation and technological advancement.
A blend of innovation, relevance in subject matter, social justice-based education, and AI-assisted teaching and research could solve Nepal’s educational woes. It would lead to creating a modern, inclusive, and technologically adept education system, preparing students for the challenges of today’s world. It’s a challenging task, no doubt, but this transformation is within reach with a collective commitment from the government, academicians, and educational institutions.
Together, let’s aspire to reinvent Nepal’s education system to break the chains of tradition, foster innovation, encourage empathy, and leverage technology for a brighter, more equitable future.
Thinking Out Loud 