Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: Stakeholders have stressed on bridging the gap between education, skills, entrepreneurship and industry to create opportunities for youths in the country to go abroad. They were addressing a dialogue on “Bringing talent and exploring, bridging the gap of education, skill and entrepreneurship in Nepal” organized by Nepal Automobiles Importers and Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) on the occasion of NIMA Mobility Expo 2026.
Entrepreneur and lawmaker Bidushi Rana said that going abroad from Nepal should be a choice for the youths rather than compulsion. According to him, although there are ample potentials in industry, information technology, hotel and automobile sectors in Nepal, the youths are compelled to go abroad due to policy complexities and lack of opportunities. She said that the government and private sector should work together to create employment and entrepreneurship-friendly environment so as to keep the youths in the country. He suggested that the ‘one-window system’ should be implemented by ending the need to visit different offices for registration, tax, permission and financial resources to start a business.
Founder and entrepreneur Saurav Jyoti said that Nepal’s automobile sector will be transformed from ‘Make in Nepal’ to ‘Made in Nepal’ in the next 5-10 years. For this, he said that along with the assembly industry, local production and supply chain of parts and components should be developed.
Stating that there was a big gap between the education sector and the private sector, he stressed the need of developing curriculum as per the need of the industry. Stating that the private sector has been generating a huge share of employment, he said the country’s economy will gain momentum if environment conducive and trusting towards entrepreneurs and investment is created.
Associate Professor of Thapathali Campus, Lochan Kendra Devkota, said that the students will not be able to work in the industry from the next day if they complete their studies from the university. According to him, collaboration between the university, industry and the government is necessary for practical skills required in the industry as the university strengthens the theoretical base.
He said that the system from curriculum development, internship, research, student projects and employment should be linked to the industry. He suggested that the university should increase investment in research and student projects.
Professor Bhagwati Sedhai of Padma Kanya Campus under Tribhuvan University said that youths should not be disappointed by creating a narrative that there are no opportunities in Nepal. Education, skills and employment opportunities could be created in Nepal itself, she said, underlining the need for collaboration among the government, private sector, educational institutions and youths.
Stating that the curriculum should be formulated after holding discussion with the industrialists about the human resources required by the industry, she said that the existing policies related to entrepreneurship and self-employment have not been implemented in practice. He suggested that the private sector should be encouraged to invest in skill development.
All the four speakers in the dialogue stressed on the need of direct collaboration with industry, practical skills, internship and apprenticeship to bridge the gap between education and employment. They are of the view that creating opportunities in Nepal could reduce the number of skilled youths going abroad and create an environment for the youths to return home.
