IEPAN Releases Statistics on Foreign-Affiliated Educational Programs: 37,000 Students, NPR 25 Billion Investment
29th September 2026, Kathmandu
The International Education Providers Association of Nepal (IEPAN) has emphasized that public debates regarding foreign university-affiliated educational programs in Nepal must be based on facts, laws, and evidence.
IPAN requested that discussions regarding the legitimacy and quality of these institutions consider existing legal frameworks, accreditation, degree credibility, international recognition, and employment outcomes for graduates.
Legal Basis & Program Overview
Legal Framework: IEPAN President Laxman KC clarified at a press conference that claims suggesting these programs can be shut down arbitrarily are incorrect. The programs are regulated under the Foreign Educational Programs (Operation and Regulation) Directives, 2083, issued under Section 19 of the Education Act, 2028.
Network & Scale:
Institutions: 58 institutions in Nepal are authorized to run programs affiliated with 35 foreign universities across 7 countries.
Enrollment: Currently, 37,208 students are enrolled in these programs.
Economic & Employment Impact
Investment: NPR 25 billion invested in the sector.
Job Creation: Generated approximately 5,000 direct and 15,000 indirect jobs.
Revenue Contribution: Contributes around NPR 500 million in direct annual revenue and over NPR 1 billion in indirect revenue.
Economic Activity: Generates NPR 15 to 20 billion in economic activity annually.
Foreign Exchange Savings:
Studying locally can cost up to 15 times less than pursuing the same degree abroad, saving on living and daily expenses.
Estimated potential reduction in foreign currency outflow: NPR 50 to 60 billion annually.
Tech Leadership & Academic Offerings
Pioneering Tech Education: Foreign-affiliated colleges have been trendsetters for IT and specialized education in Nepal.
Courses Introduced: Introduced programs in AI & Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, Network Security, Hotel & Hospitality Management, Interior Design, Entrepreneurship, and Multimedia & Animation.
Contribution to IT Exports:
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IT services exported from Nepal reached ~$515 million (NPR 68 billion) in 2022 (per IIDS study) and were estimated to approach $1 billion (NPR 145 billion) by 2025.
IEPAN attributes this growth largely to local graduates, freelancers, and private sector initiatives.
Outbound Student Context & National Statistics
No-Objection Certificate (NOC) Data:
FY 2080/81: 112,593 students obtained NOCs, leading to an outflow of NPR 124.95 billion.
FY 2081/82: 123,589 students obtained NOCs, leading to an outflow of NPR 138.48 billion.
National Education Survey 2081 Context:
Non-governmental higher education institutions enrolled 466,805 students in FY 2080/81, creating NPR 160 billion in gross value added and employing 311,516 personnel. (Note: These broader figures encompass all non-governmental institutions, not just foreign-affiliated colleges).
Quality Assurance & Government Regulation
Quality Models: Affiliated colleges and direct branch campuses represent different operational models; quality should be evaluated based on curriculum, faculty qualifications, infrastructure, and learning outcomes rather than the model itself.
Regulations:
New regulations mandate affiliated colleges to initiate Quality Assurance and Accreditation (QAA) processes within 3 years.
University fees are remitted through banking channels with prior Ministry approval.
Ministry-led expert teams conduct on-site inspections of institutions.
Key IEPAN Demands & Future Vision
International Education Hub: Develop Nepal as a destination for foreign students by introducing clear student visa policies and services.
Transparency: Publish updated official lists of permitted institutions/programs and clarify quality inspection standards.
Grievance Handling: Establish an effective mechanism to address student complaints.
