“The Present Leadership Of The KU Will Overcome The Crisis”

-- BEL PRASAD SHRESTHA

Social activist and hotelier BEL PRASAD SHRSTHA is known for his contribution to transform Dhulikhel. Shrestha worked in Dhulikhel in various capacities in bringing changes to the area. Shrestha, who is known as one of the builders of Dhulikhel, along with Suresh Raj Sharma and Ram Kantha Shrestha, spoke to SPOTIGHT on various issues related with the development of the city. Excerpts:

How has the KU brought changes to Dhulikhel?

There are tremendous benefits Dhulikhel has enjoyed due to the Kathmandu University (KU). It generates the employment and economic opportunities to the area. Thanks to the number of students coming to the university, the demands of rental houses are going up. Even farmers are making money by renting out their traditional houses. Genius and talented local students have access to higher education and the medical college is providing high standard of health facilities. In this way, the contribution of the KU has been immense to Dhulikhel.

How do you see the contribution of local people to the KU?

The investment of local people is very nominal comparison to the benefits given by the KU to local communities.  Dhulikhel Municipality provided some land in early days.  People see Dhulikhel now as a place of learning and its name has become tied with the KU. Dhulikhel is synonymous to the KU.

How do the local people feel about the institution?

People of Banepa, Dhulikhel and Panauti see the KU as a light of their districts. This is a light, which shows everything to us. Because of presence of the university, the quality of education in local schools have gone up. We have many students in SLC who secure distinction marks. Because of the university, education sector has seen a lot of change. Dhulikhel now not only has the fame of tourist city but also has fame of institution of educational excellence. Every local people see the KU as a part of their life and all of them have stakes over it. There is a sense of ownership on the KU. This is the brain of Dhulikhel.

How do you see the current dispute in the KU?

The KU is a private university, which gets very nominal annual budget from the government. Compared to Tribhuwan University and other government universities, which are fully funded by the government, the KU has to generate resources on its own. One cannot expect the KU to follow the course of government universities. Government universities can survive even without attaining better results and quality products but the KU will be finished in case of failure to produce quality students. Everybody wants quality education in the KU as parents have to pay high price for the education of their children. The KU is run from fees of the students. So, the university management has to guarantee the quality of education to its student. One cannot apply the modalities in the KU followed in government universities. Everyone knows that the KU provides the quality education at par with international level.

As you have been involved from early days to establish the university in Dhulikhel, how do you see the achievements made by the KU?

The KU has made tremendous achievement in the short period of time with limited resources on its own. The government does not bear any financial burden. Many foreign students are coming here for studies even. Its progress is very impressive. Because of dedication of leadership in the university, we have been able to achieve it. Many institutions are coming up in Nepal but only a few produce best results. Compared with other institutions, the KU has made enormous progress.

Do you think the KU will survive from the present instability and threat?

The KU has already seen a number of difficulties in its process of evolution. In initial phase, the problems with university were related with the resources and land. We spent a lot of time to mobilize the local people.  I think every one has to face problems in their life. I am confident that the present leadership of the KU will overcome the crisis and provide much needed stability to it.