Minister Pokharel, Cyprus Envoy Discuss Higher Education Ties
Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel and Cypriot Ambassador Evagoras Vryonides met to discuss student welfare and streamlining academic credential verification.
Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel met with the non-resident ambassador of Cyprus to Nepal, Evagoras Vryonides, on Tuesday to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in the higher education sector. The meeting, held at the Ministry of Education and Sports in Singha Durbar, focused on addressing the needs of Nepali students currently pursuing degrees in Cyprus.
According to reports from Nagarik News, Onlinekhabar, and Gorkhapatra, the discussion centered on how the Cypriot government can facilitate support for Nepali students and protect their welfare while they are enrolled in the country's academic institutions. Both parties expressed a commitment to continuing and expanding the existing educational partnership between the two nations.
During the meeting, Minister Pokharel outlined ongoing administrative efforts to streamline services for students planning to study abroad. As noted by Onlinekhabar English and other outlets, the minister highlighted that the ministry is actively working to simplify the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs), a mandatory document for Nepali students heading to foreign universities.
Furthermore, Pokharel addressed the evolving process for determining the equivalence of foreign academic degrees in Nepal. He informed Ambassador Vryonides that the responsibility for verifying these credentials has been transitioned from Tribhuvan University to the University Grants Commission (UGC). The minister emphasized that the government is currently implementing policy reforms to make this verification process more efficient for students returning with international qualifications.
Ambassador Vryonides expressed his confidence that the dialogue would help deepen the bilateral relationship between Nepal and Cyprus, particularly in the realm of academic exchange. The meeting concluded with a shared vision for fostering stronger ties that benefit students from both countries, ensuring that those studying in Cyprus receive the necessary institutional support during their academic tenure.