UGC begins assessing equivalence of foreign degrees, processes 30 in first phase

KATHMANDU: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken over responsibility for determining the equivalence of academic degrees obtained abroad and has processed equivalence for 30 graduates in its first phase.

Prof Dr Khadga Bahadur KC, newly appointed UGC chair, said he assumed office on August 7 and that equivalence determinations began on August 10. He added that a new set of working procedures has reached the endorsement stage.

Shortages of in-house experts have led the UGC to bring staff from Tribhuvan University on secondment to carry out the assessments. Chair KC said the procedures will be finalised once appointments to the posts of UGC members are completed.

The proposed rules include a provision to form an Equivalence Determination Committee to be chaired by the UGC secretary. The commission opened online applications for equivalence on July 17.

Until the recent change, the Curriculum Development Centre under the Office of the Rector at Tribhuvan University handled equivalence of higher education. Authority for the UGC to determine the equivalence of foreign academic degrees was granted through an amendment to the University Grants Commission Act, 2050, enacted via the Act to Amend Some of Nepal Acts, 2082.

By RS