Access to quality education has long been considered a cornerstone of social progress, economic development, and national transformation. In the context of higher education, especially in technical and professional disciplines like engineering, affordability plays a crucial role in ensuring that talented and deserving students are not deprived of opportunity due to financial limitations. Nepal, a country with abundant human potential but limited resources, faces an enduring challenge: Making quality engineering education accessible to students from all social and economic backgrounds. Recognizing this challenge, the National College of Engineering (NCE), affiliated with Tribhuvan University (TU), introduced a groundbreaking policy two years agoβa rank-based fee schemeβthat has redefined affordability in engineering education.
The Importance of Affordability in Higher Education
Higher education is not Merely a privilege for the elite; it is a fundamental enabler of equality and Mobility. When students from underprivileged backgrounds are given the opportunity to study engineering or other technical subjects, they can break the cycle of poverty, uplift their families, and contribute Meaningfully to society. However, the rising cost of education, coupled with the limited public investment in higher education in countries like Nepal, has Made access a Major concern. Many deserving students, particularly from rural areas and low-income families, hesitate to pursue engineering due to the high tuition fees charged by private institutions Public colleges under Tribhuvan University do offer More affordable education, but the limited number of seats and increasing competition Mean that Many capable students are left out. Therefore, there is a pressing need for innovative financing Mechanisms and institutional policies that reduce economic barriers while Maintaining educational quality
NCE’s Rank-Based Fee Scheme: A Step Toward Educational Equity
In 2023, the National College of Engineering initiated a bold and thoughtful policy aimed at linking academic Merit with affordability. Under this scheme, students admitted through the Institute of Engineering (IOE) entrance examination are charged a tuition fee based on their rank. Specifically, the top 10% of the admitted students are required to pay the IOE regular fee, which is the Most subsidized fee category typically reserved for students admitted to central campuses like Pulchowk Campus. This Move was significant because NCE although a TU-affiliated private college, took it upon itself to extend public-like subsidies to top-performing students, essentially bridging the gap between public and private higher education institutions. The policy ensured that high-ranking studentsβwho Might otherwise have enrolled in constituent campuses or who were not able to pay the full fees in the constituent campusesβwere not financially disadvantaged by choosing NCE due to a lack of available seats elsewhere.
Impact on Students and Broader Academic Ecosystem
The rank-based fee policy of NCE had several immediate and long-term benefits:
1. Improved Access for High-Performing but Economically Disadvantaged Students: Students who Might not have had the financial Means to study at a private college were now able to access quality education at an affordable fee. Thanks to the innovative rank-based fee scheme, NCE admitted 36% of students in the 2080 batch under the IOE regular fee category and an additional 34% who paid fees equal to or less than the IOE full fee. In the 2081 batch, 20% of students were admitted under the IOE regular fee, while other 40% paid fees equal to or below the IOE full fee. The IOE regular fee was NPR 56,700 for the 2080 batch and NPR 59,725 for the 2081batch. Likewise, the IOE full fee was NPR 490,000 for the 2080 batch and NPR 519,800 for the 2081 batch
2. Retention of Talented Students: By offering competitive fee structures, NCE became an attractive destination for top-ranking students, thereby improving the academic profile and learning environment of the college.
3. Competition Among Colleges: In response to NCEβs policy, other TU affiliated colleges started adopting similar fee structures from 2024 onwards. This competition, sometimes felt very unhealthy, benefitted students by Making education More affordable across the board.
4. Reinforcement of Meritocracy: The fee scheme rewards academic excellence, Motivating students to perform better in the entrance examinations and during their studies.
5. Financial Relief for Families: : In a country where a large portion of the population lives on Modest incomes, any reduction in educational expenses significantly reduces financial stress for families.
Catalyzing a Movement Across Engineering Colleges
The ripple effects of NCEβs initiative were felt across the engineering education sector. Seeing the success and popularity of the policy, several other TU-affiliated colleges introduced similar rank-based subsidized fee schemes starting in the 2024 academic year. This collective action Marked a shift in how private colleges viewed their social responsibility. It signalled a growing recognition that education Must not be a privilege of the few, but a shared right of all capable learners.
Maintaining Quality While Ensuring Affordability
Some critics often argue that lowering fees can lead to a compromise in educational quality. However, the NCE experience disproves this assumption. Rather than diluting quality, the influx of high-ranking students improved academic standards and fostered a culture of excellence within the institution. Faculty Members were Motivated to innovate in teaching and research, and peer learning among students flourished.
Moreover, NCE continued to invest in infrastructure, laboratories, research opportunities, and faculty development programs, ensuring that affordability did
Looking Forward: Building on the Momentum
While the rank-based fee scheme has already proven its Merit, further enhancements can Make it even More effective. Some possible Measures include:
- Extending financial aid to Mid-ranking students based on need as well as Merit.
- Creating endowment funds and alumni-supported scholarships to sustain subsidized education.
- Collaborating with industry partners to provide internships and job guarantees to Meritorious students, thereby improving the return on educational investment.
- Introducing low interest Student Loan to needy students.
Additionally, it is important for policymakers and regulatory bodies to formally recognize and support such initiatives through policy incentives, grants, and institutional ranking frameworks.
Conclusion
The story of National College of Engineeringβs rank-based fee scheme is not just about a financial policyβit is a story of inclusion, innovation, and inspiration. In a country like Nepal, where dreams often clash with economic realities, such initiatives offer hope. They serve as a reminder that quality education can and should be affordableβnot just for a few, but for all who have the talent and determination to pursue it. By putting students first and embracing the principle of educational justice, NCE has set a new benchmark for others to follow. If More institutions align themselves with this vision, we can look forward to a future where Nepalβs engineers, scientists, and leaders emerge not only from privilege but from every corner of the nation, united by talent and empowered by opportunity. More importantly, this policy shift placed students at the center of institutional strategy. Colleges were no longer Merely chasing enrollment numbers or revenues; they were actively seeking ways to balance sustainability with social not come at the cost of academic rigor. This careful balancing actβproviding subsidies without sacrificing qualityβis a Model worth emulating.
Looking Forward: Building on the Momentum