ECAN and IEPAN sign strategic partnership to position Nepal as an international education hub

KATHMANDU: In a significant move to strengthen Nepal’s position in the global higher education landscape, the Educational Consultancy Association of Nepal (ECAN) and the International Education Providers’ Association of Nepal (IEPAN) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at transforming Nepal into an international education destination.

The agreement, signed in Kathmandu on Monday, focuses on promoting the internationalization of higher education, expanding access to quality international education within Nepal, and jointly advancing the national “Study in Nepal” campaign.

The MoU was signed by Laxman Poudel (Andrew), President of ECAN, and Laxman K.C., President of IEPAN, in the presence of representatives from both organizations and stakeholders from Nepal’s education sector.

Strengthening Nepal’s International Education Ecosystem

Under the agreement, ECAN’s member education consultancies will gain direct access to academic information from IEPAN-affiliated colleges and educational institutions, including academic programs, admission procedures, entry requirements, scholarship opportunities, career prospects, and other relevant educational updates.

The collaboration is expected to enable education counselors to provide students and parents with more accurate, up-to-date, and reliable guidance while helping prospective students make informed decisions about higher education opportunities available in Nepal.

Both organizations believe the partnership will create a more coordinated and transparent education ecosystem that benefits students, academic institutions, and the broader education industry.

Joint Push for ‘Study in Nepal’

The strategic partnership also outlines a broader vision of positioning Nepal as a competitive destination for international students.

ECAN and IEPAN will collaborate on educational branding, international student recruitment, research initiatives, academic partnerships, and educational diplomacy to enhance Nepal’s visibility in the global education market.

The organizations plan to jointly promote Nepal’s higher education institutions through national and international campaigns while encouraging foreign students to consider Nepal as an affordable, quality, and culturally rich study destination.

ECAN Calls for Student Visa Reforms

Speaking at the signing ceremony, ECAN President Pयudel emphasized that government policy reforms—particularly in student visa procedures—are essential for attracting international students to Nepal.

He said ECAN is prepared to recruit students from around the world if the government introduces a more facilitative visa regime and creates an enabling environment for universities and colleges to admit foreign students.

“If the government makes the visa process easier, we are ready to bring students from across the world to Nepal. Based on our understanding, many international students are interested in studying here. However, the government needs to work with service providers and create the right environment. Once that happens, everything becomes possible,” Poudel said.

He added that Nepal possesses several competitive advantages, including relatively affordable tuition costs, English-medium academic programs, cultural diversity, and a unique natural environment that could appeal to international students.

IEPAN Urges Inclusive Policy Reforms

IEPAN President Laxman K.C. said Nepal’s education providers are fully prepared to welcome more international students and expand global academic partnerships.

However, he stressed that the government must undertake policy reforms to make the sector more internationally competitive and ensure that private education stakeholders are meaningfully involved in the policymaking process.

“Nepal’s education sector is vast, and every stakeholder deserves to be heard. We are ready to collaborate in bringing international students to Nepal and strengthening global academic partnerships, but policy reforms are necessary,” he said.

According to him, improving regulatory frameworks, simplifying administrative procedures, and strengthening collaboration between government agencies and educational institutions will be crucial to building Nepal’s international education brand.

Capacity Building, Research, and Global Networking

As part of the agreement, ECAN and IEPAN will jointly organize capacity-building programs, academic orientation sessions, policy dialogues, research activities, business-to-business (B2B) networking events, international education conferences, and promotional initiatives at both national and international levels.

The partnership also seeks to foster knowledge sharing, institutional collaboration, and stronger engagement with international universities and education providers.

Scholarships for Underprivileged Students

The agreement also includes a social responsibility component.

Both organizations have agreed to collaborate in providing scholarships and special educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged, academically talented, and underprivileged students through IEPAN member institutions.

The initiative aims to improve access to quality higher education for deserving students who may otherwise face financial barriers.

Expanding Collaboration Across Stakeholders

Leaders of both organizations expressed confidence that the strategic partnership will contribute to making Nepal’s international education sector more organized, competitive, credible, and student-friendly.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation with the Government of Nepal, universities, the private education sector, and international partners to elevate the “Study in Nepal” campaign into a national initiative capable of attracting students from around the world.

The ECAN–IEPAN partnership is expected to support Nepal’s long-term ambition of becoming a regional higher education destination while promoting education as a growing export service and contributing to the country’s knowledge-based economy.