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Nepal’s big heave gets it meagre plaudits
KATHMANDU, MAY 13 -
Nepal has agreed to contribute US$ 2.95 million to operate the much-awaited SAARC University to run its five-year academic session that commences this August. However, Nepal will get only two seats in two disciplines in the coming session.
According to sources, Nepal has to provide US$ 0.065 million for its two students in the first academic year. “Inter-Governmental Steering Committee has requested member states to remit their first year’s contributions to the university by June 30,” reads a letter issued by the South Asian University Project Office to the SAARC member states.
According to the agreement, Nepal will provide US$ 0.258, 0.527, 0.874 and 1.227 million in the year 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. The first session of the Delhi-based university will begin with 50 students in two master’s programmes--Development Economics and Information and Communication Technology.
India has committed the largest contribution of US$ 34.420 million to the university whose operational cost will be shared by the eight member countries.
“SAARC university project office wishes to reiterate this request and urges member states to kindly remit their contributions at an early date,” read the letter.
The seats have been allocated in proportion to individual country’s financial contribution to the university. However, a member state will be entitled to minimum 4 percent and maximum 50 percent quota of the total student body.
Ten percent of the students would be from non-SAARC countries. “Tuition fee has been fixed at US$ 440 per semester,” Chief Executive Officer of the university, Prof. GK Chadha said in Delhi.
After five years of its establishment, the university will have around 3,000 students and 300 teaching faculties, and will run 10 postgraduate and some undergraduate programmes, Chadha said.
The university would also start offering degrees in engineering and medicine in a couple of years.
“The plan is also to make the university an institute of South Asian studies, which is expected to become a premier think tank, focusing on issues and challenges facing South Asia,” said Chadha.
The final blueprint proposes of the university’s regional campuses in other member countries.
SAARC VARSITY
Contribution (in million)
Nepal US$ 2.950
India US$ 34. 420
Afghanistan US$ 2.300
Bangladesh US$ 4.920
Bhutan US$ 2.300
Maldives US$ 2.300
Pakistan US$ 7.850
Sri Lanka US$ 2.950
Posted on: 2010-05-14 08:11
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