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North South University (NSU) is one of the pioneering private universities in Bangladesh. Modeled after US universities, NSU incorporates academic features such as semester systems, credit hours, and letter grades. Currently serving as the Vice-chancellor, Prof Atiqul Islam brings a wealth of international experience to the position. Before joining NSU, he held the role of Pro Vice-chancellor (Engagement) at Edith Cowan University in Australia. Additionally, he served as the Dean of the Faculty of Business and Government at the University of Canberra.

In a recent interview with Pratik Ghimire of ApEx, Prof Islam shared insights into the Bangladesh education system and discussed potential collaborations between Bangladesh and Nepal to further develop this field in both countries. Excerpts:

How did the growth of private universities start in Bangladesh?

Since the 1980s, education in Bangladesh has been significantly supported through government subsidies and budget allocations. Consequently, the number of students at the primary and secondary levels increased rapidly. However, upon completing their higher secondary education, these students faced limited opportunities, as Bangladesh at that time had only six or seven government universities with restricted capacity.

In response, students began seeking higher education in countries like India, the United States, Canada, and others, paying higher fees. This not only drained significant foreign currency but also led to a loss of highly intelligent human resources, as these students chose to reside in foreign countries.

Recognizing the need to address these issues, the government decided to allow the establishment of private universities. The expectation was that these institutions would help alleviate the problems and provide quality education within Bangladesh itself. Consequently, North South University was established in 1992, emerging as one of the first privately-owned universities in the country.

How can Nepal and Bangladesh collaborate in the university sector?

We already have some sort of collaboration with Tribhuvan University. Professors from our university supervise a few PhD students from Nepal. Also, mid-level bureaucrats from Nepal participate in training programs at North South University, focusing on policy and governance. The University Grant Commission (UGC) of Nepal sends its staff to our institution for training, knowledge sharing, and experience exchange.

I don’t think Bangladesh has sent its students to Nepal thus far, yet there is potential for collaboration between the two countries. With a mere 22 km distance separating Nepal and Bangladesh, opportunities for collaboration abound across various fronts. Both nations share similarities in terms of economic and social development stages, as well as commonalities in language. By pooling our resources and fostering deeper collaboration, we can achieve significantly better results across various areas.

Why have South Asian universities struggled to attract international students?

Our focus has been on seeking knowledge from the West rather than actively creating it ourselves. There was a time when Baghdad and Persia were global centers of knowledge, attracting learners from Europe. The understanding was that if we could create knowledge, the world would come to acquire it from us.

Following the industrial revolution, Western countries surged ahead by actively engaging in knowledge creation, leading to numerous inventions and discoveries emanating from Europe.

However, the global landscape is evolving, with other countries, particularly in Asia, recognizing the importance of generating knowledge. People now choose to study in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and China. The educational shift is moving from the West to the East, and our university is also experiencing this change. We are receiving inquiries from neighboring countries, like Myanmar, as they recognize the value of our expertise. For example, the Burmese believe that Bangladesh excels in agricultural research, prompting them to send their students to us.

Bangladesh has emerged as a primary choice for South Asian students pursuing medical studies. How did the country establish itself as a hub for medical education?

Since the 1960s, Bangladesh has been a favored destination for foreign students, particularly in the fields of medicine and engineering. During my time as a student at Dhaka University, there was a notable presence of Malaysian, Iranian, Palestinian, and Sri Lankan students pursuing medicine and engineering in Dhaka. This trend has persisted over the years.

Certain institutions in Bangladesh have successfully maintained their quality standards and kept pace with global developments. I think the government is committed to stringent quality control measures in these institutions which have played a crucial role in attracting and retaining foreign students.

What suggestions do you have for both countries to enhance collaborations?

Identify areas where one country possesses strengths that the other country requires, fostering exchange and collaboration. Prioritize joint research initiatives to further strengthen ties. Collaboration shouldn’t be limited to government levels; there are numerous opportunities for private sector engagement. Emphasize mutually beneficial collaborations to ensure the success of the relationship, acknowledging that a one-sided approach is not sustainable.

The Nepali Army has reportedly approved the participation of a blacklisted Indian firm in the bidding process for one of the packages of the Kathmandu-Tarai/Madhes Expressway, following a thorough review of its technical proposal.

KMC Construction Ltd, an Indian firm, is among the three companies shortlisted for the financial proposal stage after passing the technical proposal evaluation. Consequently, the army will proceed to award the contract based on the financial proposals submitted by these three companies. The other two companies that have qualified for the financial proposal stage are Poly Changda Engineering Co Ltd of China and RVNL-ABL Joint Venture, based on the assessment of their technical proposals.

Currently, the Kathmandu-Tarai/Madhes Fast Track Road Project is in the process of evaluating financial proposals for Package 8-B of the expressway, with an estimated project cost of approximately Rs 19bn. Despite the Chinese firm bidding over Rs 28bn for the package, RVNL-ABL Joint Venture bidding Rs 17bn, and KMC Construction Ltd bidding Rs 14bn, the project must be awarded to the lowest bidder in accordance with the Public Procurement Act and Regulations. Therefore, the blacklisted Indian firm is expected to secure the project.

It’s worth noting that the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India has initiated the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process for KMC Construction. Reportedly, KMC Construction secured a bid guarantee through Citizens Bank International Ltd of Nepal, as Indian banks declined to provide a bank guarantee due to the firm being blacklisted by Exim Bank.

The Nepali Army’s decision on the fast-track project has faced criticism. Responding to a 2019 query from the Department of Roads about the banking status of the Indian firm, the Indian Embassy recommended canceling the tender awarded to a joint venture between KMC and Tundi Construction of Kathmandu and opting for rebidding. Additionally, India’s National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd placed KMC Construction on the ‘negative list’ in 2021, and the Indian Enforcement Directorate is reportedly investigating the company.

Another Indian bidder, RVNL-ABL JV, brought attention to the project chief regarding the qualification of KMC Construction, labeling it as “highly irregular and a miscarriage of transparency and justice in an international bidding procedure.”

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal held discussions with the Nepali Army (NA) on Wednesday to explore the revival of the Hetauda Textile Factory. During a high-level meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Army briefed the prime minister on the feasibility study related to resuming factory operations.

The feasibility study aligns with the government’s commitment, outlined in its policies and programs for the current fiscal year, to investigate options for reviving closed industries. The textile factory, initially established in 1975 with financial and technical support from the Chinese government and investment from the Nepal government, ceased production in 2000. It was formally closed by the royal government in 2003, but still retains ownership of 166 ropanis of land.

According to the study report, various factors contributed to the factory’s closure, including inadequate market management, insufficient technological advancements, power outages, overstaffing, and a lack of managerial efficiency.

The report highlights that the Army Welfare Fund has a sufficient budget to operate the industry, and most required raw materials are available within the country. The revived factory, as per the report, is expected to face no market-related challenges, with the Nepali Army potentially becoming a major consumer.

Reviving the industry, as suggested by the report, could significantly contribute to national industrial development, boost the gross domestic product, and convey a positive message to the global market by enhancing national sufficiency and creating job opportunities.

The study’s task force has proposed an outline for re-operation, including a three-year work plan with a target of manufacturing approximately 2.6m meters of cloth. A policy decision is expected in the current fiscal year, and the industry would be transferred to the NA, which will prepare a detailed project report, select, and purchase new machinery.

The proposed outline envisions starting test production in the upcoming fiscal year after completing infrastructure construction and acquiring machinery and equipment. The estimated cost for re-operating the industry is Rs 1.93bn, with an annual operation cost of Rs 780m. The task force predicts that the industry will turn profitable, covering the investment cost, after nine years. The report also calls for government policy and legal support for the re-operation of the industry.

“The Nepali Army has carried out a sound study. I will hold discussions on this at the political level and may form a small team at the government level for further study. We will make a concrete decision in a Council of Ministers meeting thereafter,” Prime Minister Dahal said. He said that the past privatization of government-owned industries had led to decreased productivity and job opportunities, emphasizing the need for careful consideration in decision-making.

The Public Account Committee of the House of Representatives has started investigating the decision of the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) to lease Gautam Buddha’s ossuary mausoleum located in Ramgram of Nawalparasi district, bypassing the public procurement regulations. The committee wrote to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) and LDT on Tuesday “to provide all the documents related to this matter within seven days”.

The committee has specifically sought to know as to why LDT initiated the lease process despite a disagreement in writing on the part of the Ministry of Finance, MoCTCA and the Department of Archeology.

Ignoring the public procurement regulations, LDT has inked a deal with the Moksha Foundation and the Promised Land Pvt Ltd for the excavation and construction of structures, including stupas, within Gautam Buddha’s ossuary mausoleum in Ramgram. It has been revealed that LDT Vice-chair Lharkyal Lama initiated the Rs 7bn project despite objections from various authorities. 

According to the terms of the agreement, the excavation of the ossuary and the construction of the stupa, Buddhist monasteries and other structures representing different countries will take place in Ramgram. 

“To facilitate this, approximately 116 bighas of private land, 75  kathas of land owned by the Trust, and 10 kathas of land owned by the Department of Archaeology will be integrated and leased to the private company,” the agreement states.

Per the agreement, LDT will be responsible for acquiring the land from locals, while Moksha Foundation will conduct land pooling and the Promised Land Pvt Ltd will manage it. 

Nikesh Adhikari, the owner of the Promised Land, is the son of Sharada Prasad Adhikari, the landlord of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s Khumaltar-based residence.

The project had reportedly remained stalled for years due to a lack of transparency in investment. It eventually got the green light after Lama assumed the position of LDT Vice-chair on 6 Aug 2023.

The Lumbini Development Trust has entered into an agreement with a private company, bypassing the public procurement regulations, for the excavation and construction of a stupa within Gautam Buddha’s ossuary mausoleum in the Nawalparasi Ramagrama area. 

The agreement includes the acquisition of 116 bighas of private land and a 99-year lease on 120 bighas. 

Lharkyal Lama, the Vice-chairperson of the trust, initiated the process despite reservations from the Department of Archaeology, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and the Ministry of Finance.

According to the terms of the agreement, the excavation of the ossuary and the construction of the stupa, Buddhist monasteries and other structures representing different countries will take place in Ramagrama. 

“To facilitate this, approximately 116 bighas of private land, 75  kathas of the land owned by the trust, and 10 kathas of land owned by the Department of Archaeology will be integrated and leased to the private company,” the trust says.

According to the agreement, the trust will be responsible for acquiring the land from locals, while the Moksha Foundation will unify it, and the Promised Land Pvt Ltd will manage it. 

The agreement was finalized without a competitive process among companies. The Moksha Foundation, reported to have an office in Singapore, is identified as the primary investor. The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 7bn.

Nikesh Adhikari, the owner of the Promised Land, is the son of Sharada Prasad Adhikari, the landlord of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s Khumaltar-based residence.

It is said though the project was in the pipeline for some years, progress was hindered due to a lack of transparency in investment. The project was greenlit after Lama assumed the position of Vice-chair of the trust on 6 Aug 2023.

Lama is a controversial figure who in the past has been charged with various crimes, such as illegal possession of firearms, possession of dual citizenship and passport, and accumulation of illegal wealth. He is also a former lawmaker of the CPN (Maoist Center). 

On 12 Dec 2023, Prime Minister Dahal himself had laid the foundation stone for the stupa construction and excavation project at Ramagrama. The event, co-organized by the Promised Land and Ramagrama Municipality, saw the prime minister pledging to restore, conserve and develop the Ramagrama Stupa area.

Recent revelations indicate that the project is being initiated without following due procedure.

As per the agreement, the land in the Ramagrama area is leased until the year 2179 BS. Despite this, the agreement lacks clarity on how public land will be acquired and what preconditions will be set. This raises concerns about the transparency and legitimacy of the project.

In transactions involving public financial administration, obtaining prior consent from the Ministry of Finance is mandatory. For this project, the ministry expressed disagreement, citing the absence of a clear proposal regarding the investment reliability and background of the involved companies.

Additionally, the Department of Archaeology conveyed a letter to the Trust, emphasizing that no agreement should be made concerning heritage excavation and the construction of physical structures. As the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Archaeology expressed reservations, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation also advised the Trust against proceeding with the project. 

Gyanin Rai, the trust’s spokesperson, did not respond to the ApEx request for comment. Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati was also out of reach. 

Lama issued a statement late Monday, defending his involvement in the project. The statement reads, “Neither the Trust has the authority to acquire private lands, nor does the Trust have the funds to do so. No steps have been initiated regarding this project since I assumed the Office.” However, Lama did not respond to the ApEx request for comment.

Moksha Foundation had submitted a proposal on 21 April 2023 saying that they will partner with the Promised Land to invest in the project. The Promised Land also committed to guarantee the investment in a letter dated 30 April 2023.

According to Suresh Suras Shrestha, the head of the Culture Division at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the current situation warrants a halt in the process. 

“There were numerous issues in the proposal, and both the Department of Archaeology and the Ministry of Finance have advised against moving forward,” he says. “The ministry and the archaeology department will now engage in discussions to determine the next step.”

Anurag Kunwar, a versatile artist carving his niche in the Nepali film industry, is a testament to dedication and diverse roles. Despite a background in hotel management, his true passion lies in portraying multifaceted characters on the silver screen.

Having pursued an advanced diploma in hotel management (food and beverage) in Singapore, Kunwar embarked on his cinematic journey upon returning to Nepal. “I was in Singapore for around 4.5 years from 2001, but my desire to pursue a career in my own country led me to return to Nepal,” he says.

Despite his educational background in hotel management, Kunwar found his passion for cinema eclipsing his interest in the hospitality industry. “I wasn’t convinced by the Nepali hotel system. My thought process never aligned with the system, causing me to lose interest despite having an education in hotel management,” he says.

He first established a horse-riding company before movies. “I started Angel Horse and Stable Pvt Ltd in 2010 which provides horse riding and horse buggy services in Kathmandu,” he says. As most of Kunwar’s relatives are from the military and police backgrounds, he says he saw horse buggies during family weddings. “Horse buggies and horses fascinated me since my childhood, so I decided to set up my own horse-riding company,” he says.

Kunwar ventured into acting as a character of a villain in Sudarshan Thapa’s ‘K Yo Maya Ho’ in Aug 2011. His debut role was well-received by the audiences, which helped him find other film roles. His fascination with cinema was nurtured by his friends within the industry, who often remarked on his natural flair for acting. “Sudarshan Thapa who gave me my first acting job is a dear friend,” says Kunwar.

The next movie Kunwar did was ‘Facebook’ in Sept 2012. In 2015, the two movies were released—‘My Promise’ and ‘Woda Number 6’. He then went on to do ‘Raato Ghar’ (2017), ‘A Mero Hajur 2’ (2017), ‘Shatru Gate’ and ‘Chhakka Panja 3’ in 2018. This year Kunwar had two releases, ‘Chhakka Panja 4’ and ‘Ek Bhagavad Ra Ek Gita’. In most of the movies he has done so far, he has been cast as an antagonist.

Reflecting on his movie choices, Kunwar says he gives a lot of thoughts on the character and team dynamics. “The primary factor for me is the ability to justify the character,” he says. “Of course, the cast and crew also play a huge part. They form the backbone of any cinematic endeavor. It’s a collective effort.” Kunwar says.

While remaining tight-lipped about his upcoming projects, Kunwar reveals the completion of the film ‘Hridaya Bhari’,  which is currently in its post-production phase.

“As an actor, I constantly seek diverse roles that allow me to explore new dimensions, ones that the audience may not be familiar with,” Kunwar says. He says he seeks roles that challenge societal norms and intends to delve into characters that mirror his own reserved persona, aiming to unravel unexplored facets through his performances.

“Revisiting my past performances fuels my determination to continually improve as an actor,” he says. “It also motivates me to work with more passion and determination in the next projects.” 

In Nepal, only five percent of the total population watch Nepali cinemas. Kunwar says there is disparity between local and international cinema viewership. “While Hollywood and Bollywood movies often draw audiences despite negative reviews, Nepali cinema faces a different scenario.” 

He says that even with positive reviews, Nepali audiences sometimes hesitate to visit theaters to watch Nepali films. He suggests Nepali viewers to offer local cinema the benefit of the doubt and consider watching it if the reviews are promising. “By being open to supporting Nepali films based on positive feedback, audiences can contribute significantly to the growth of the local film industry,” he says.

“A positive aspect in our industry is the continued production of Nepali cinemas, ensuring that the industry remains active,” he however says a concerning trend arises from filmmakers who create movies without adequate groundwork and preparation. “This lack of thorough planning ultimately affects the quality of the films, consequently dissatisfying the audiences.” 

He also says that it is crucial for filmmakers to prioritize proper research, pre-production work, and meticulous planning to deliver content that resonates positively with the audience and contributes to the growth of Nepali cinema.

Offering advice to aspiring industry entrants, Kunwar stresses the need for comprehensive industry understanding and highlights the industry’s financial instability as a critical factor. “The issue at hand is that Nepali celebrities often compare themselves to Bollywood celebrities without acknowledging the vast difference in market size,” he says. “It’s essential to understand that Nepali cine market is significantly smaller in comparison. While the actor should draw comparisons in terms of acting skills and performance, it’s unrealistic to equate our market volume and payment structures with Bollywood’s.”

I have closely followed the Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track national pride project for over two years. Whenever I’ve inquired about the project with the Nepali Army, which is responsible for its execution, they assert that everything is on track. However, the actual on-site progress tells a different story.

Since the government entrusted the project to the army six years ago, the deadline has been extended four times. The most recent deadline is set for April 2027. But the progress of the fast track stands at a mere 28.56 percent, with financial progress at 29.44 percent.

During my recent visit to the site, my primary focus was on the tunnels. I visited the construction site of three tunnels—Mahadevtar, Dhedre, and Lendanda. Work on three other tunnels has yet to start.

Currently, out of the total 6.415 km length of three tunnels, 3.592 km has been completed, marking a progress rate of 56 percent. This might be a hopeful sign.

Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) Prabhu Ram Sharma has indicated that the Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track will fail to meet its latest deadline of April 2027. Addressing queries from lawmakers during the State Affairs Committee meeting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Sharma acknowledged that by the next deadline, the most achievable target will be to blacktop the road from Kathmandu to Nijgadh. “Even accomplishing that much would signify success,” he said, further noting, “It will require an additional 2/3 years to achieve 100 percent project completion.”

Sharma placed blame on the government and lawmakers for the national pride project’s delay, emphasizing the necessity of updating the existing laws to clear the hurdles blocking the project’s progress. He also cited an example where despite his nine-month-old request, the prime minister and defense minister are yet to give a go-ahead to remove four trees essential for the construction work. “I’m not pointing my finger at anyone; it’s just that these are the laws you’ve made,” he told the MPs.

Sharma also highlighted that stringent environmental protection laws established in the past are now impeding development. “Without amendments to these laws, completing any project in Nepal, not only the fast track, will be challenging.”

Members of the State Affairs Committee had expressed dissatisfaction with the limited progress of the fast track and sought an update from the army chief. Rajendra Pandey, a lawmaker from CPN (Unified Socialist), criticized the unsatisfactory progress of the expressway. He said that the project was entrusted to the army with the expectation of swift completion.

Latest progress

According to the Nepali Army, the physical progress of this project has reached 28.56 percent, while the financial progress stands at 29.44 percent. In the ongoing fiscal year, the physical progress has increased to 32.66 percent, while the financial progress remains at 10.8 percent.

The construction has been segmented into a total of 13 packages. Currently, work on seven packages is in progress, the procurement process for five packages is ongoing, and one package remains stalled in the disputed Khokana area where work has not started.

The total length of the track construction in progress stands at 44.627 km. Additionally, the length of the segments that are in the procurement process is 19.85 km. The Khokana land dispute area constitutes a stretch of 6.5 km.

The construction site of three tunnels—Mahadevtar, Dhedre, and Lendanda out of six tunnels are in progress. Work on three other tunnels has yet to start.

Currently, out of the total 6.415 km length of three tunnels, 3.592 km has been completed, marking a progress rate of 56 percent. This might be a hopeful sign. 

A total of 89 bridges covering a length of 12.885 km are slated for construction as part of the project, out of which five have already been completed. Among the remaining, 62 bridges are under construction, and procurement processes are underway for the 23 bridges while four bridges fall within the Khokana section with no progress.