Enhancing Education and Management for a Brighter Future in Nepal: Prime Minister Prachanda's Vision

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has emphasized the need to improve the quality of education and management to create an environment where the youth can envision a future within the country. Speaking at the fourth convocation ceremony of the Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU) on 17 June 2024, Monday, Prime Minister Prachanda directed that the educational standards be raised to send a clear message to the younger generation that opportunities abound in Nepal.

“Envision a positive future within our country, cherish the fragrance of our soil, and utilize the knowledge and skills gained from the university for Nepal's sustainable development,” said Prime Minister Prachanda. “For this, I want to stress the enhancement of education and management quality.”

Growing Interest in Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences

Prime Minister Prachanda expressed his delight at the increasing number of students enrolling in agricultural science and applying for veterinary studies. He noted that efforts are underway to double the number of students in veterinary programs.

He stressed the importance of technical universities investing their full capacity and resources into research and the development of the latest technologies to boost production and productivity. Prachanda commended the university scientists for developing off-season breeding techniques for buffaloes and heat-resistant varieties of wheat.

Highlighting the need for expanding and strengthening colleges and agricultural science centers, the Prime Minister assured that the university is making efforts to manage the necessary faculty and staff. He also expressed the government's commitment to supporting the university in managing the required human resources in the coming days.

Building a Robust Educational Infrastructure

“Faculty, college, and science center buildings, integrated research laboratories, and biosecurity laboratories under construction must be completed swiftly,” Prime Minister Prachanda urged. “The university should develop and implement a ten-year strategic plan and revise its curriculum to ensure quality and timely education, research, and dissemination activities.”

Transforming People's Lives Through Improved Systems

Prime Minister Prachanda emphasized the need to transform people's lives in accordance with the changed political system and urged everyone to dedicate themselves to their duties. He appealed for a focus on the country's future rather than just personal interests and individual futures.

“By maintaining cooperation and unity among the state, political parties, and the general public, we can and must change people's lives according to the new political system,” he said. “I appeal to all students to express themselves through actions rather than words. Our activities should be dedicated not only to personal gain but to the prestige and future of the entire country.”

Fostering Employment and Productivity

Highlighting the government's continuous efforts to create new job opportunities and increase productivity within the country, Prime Minister Prachanda stated that this year’s policies, programs, and budget have given the highest importance to agriculture and information technology.

For a country like Nepal, the Prime Minister stressed, agriculture should be the main economic base, and information technology should be the leading sector. He announced that the government has allocated a substantial budget for productivity enhancement and employment promotion programs, as well as startup programs in the field of information technology.

“We have declared the coming decade as the 'Decade of Investment in Agriculture' and the 'Decade of Information Technology' to focus investment in these areas,” Prime Minister Prachanda said. “The goal is to attract investment, create jobs by concentrating capital, technology, and manpower in agriculture and technology, and export goods and services in information technology. This will significantly boost our economy.”

Embracing Global Opportunities and Challenges

Prime Minister Prachanda noted that, in the age of information technology, it is natural to learn about global opportunities and challenges and plan one’s future accordingly. He urged everyone to consider nationalism, patriotism, the future of the younger generation, and the interests of the motherland.

“There are numerous opportunities in a globalized world. However, we must not only look at opportunities but also deeply consider our nationalism, patriotic feelings, and the future of the younger generation,” he remarked. “All developed countries have faced significant challenges throughout history to reach where they are today. Therefore, when we talk about the progress of developed countries, we should also study their past struggles for prosperity and the awakened patriotic feelings of their citizens.”

Learning from Developed Countries

Prime Minister Prachanda expressed confidence that Nepal could achieve new heights in development and prosperity by learning from the experiences and examples of developed countries. He emphasized the importance of studying the historical challenges faced by these countries and their citizens' patriotic spirit, which has driven their progress.

By improving education and management quality, fostering a cooperative spirit among all stakeholders, and focusing on agriculture and information technology, Nepal can pave the way for a brighter future. Prime Minister Prachanda's vision is to create an environment where the youth can see their future within the country, contributing to its sustainable development and prosperity.