Rajan Kandel’s Vision: Transforming Nepal into a Global Education Hub Despite Policy Hurdles
10th January 2026, Kathmandu
Rajan Kandel, the visionary founder of The British College (TBC), has addressed the growing need for educational reform in Nepal, stating his unwavering commitment to the nation’s academic growth.
Rajan Kandel’s Vision Transforming Nepal
Despite having spent nearly two decades enjoying a “luxury life” in the United Kingdom, Kandel returned to his roots with a mission: to provide Nepalese students with world-class education without the need for migration.
“I Left a Luxury Life in the UK to Serve Nepal’s Education Sector”: Rajan Kandel
Resilience Amidst Challenges: The British College and Recent Disputes
In a recent address, Kandel touched upon the challenges of operating a private educational institution in Nepal. Addressing recent student concerns regarding internships in Dubai, Kandel noted that the issue has been largely resolved in coordination with the Ministry of Education.
“In the journey of entrepreneurship, hurdles are inevitable,” Kandel remarked. “I left a comfortable life in the UK because I believe in the potential of Nepal. These challenges only strengthen my resolve to continue contributing to our education sector.”
Why Rajan Kandel is Advocating for an “Education Hub”
Kandel’s ambition is to see Nepal mirror the success of international education hubs like Dubai and Malaysia. He believes that with its favorable climate, neutral political status, and strong regional relations, Nepal is perfectly positioned to attract students from India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
The Problem of Brain Drain and Capital Flight
A major point of concern for the TBC founder is the massive outflow of Nepalese youth and capital.
Advertisement
The Statistics: Each year, thousands of students leave for India and Bangladesh specifically for Engineering and Medical degrees.
The Policy Gap: Kandel points out that rigid government policies prevent private colleges from offering diverse international engineering programs (Civil, Mechanical, etc.) and other high-demand courses.
Economic Loss: This “policy-induced” migration results in billions of rupees leaving the country annually, money that could otherwise be invested into the local economy.
A Call for Policy Reform and Stability
According to Kandel, the biggest barrier to progress is the lack of policy consistency. He highlighted that with every change in government or ministry, the lobbying process often starts from zero, creating a climate of uncertainty for investors.
“The state should focus on creating a conducive environment and policy stability. If the private sector is allowed to thrive, we can generate significant employment, contribute more to the national treasury via taxes, and most importantly keep our talent at home,” he added.
Quality Education: Understanding the Cost
Addressing the criticism of the “commercialization” of education, Kandel explained that quality education requires significant investment.
He argued that while the government struggles to maintain standards in state-run universities, it should facilitate private institutions that are successfully delivering international-standard degrees locally.
For more: Rajan Kandel’s Vision Transforming Nepal
