The two-day international conference on the theme ‘Role of Higher Education in Sustainable Tourism, Innovation, and Economic Development’ has commenced today in Pokhara. The event, organized by Kalika Multi-purpose Campus, has attracted 150 participants from 30 universities and campuses across Nepal, Japan, the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Thailand, the United States, and other countries.
The conference was inaugurated by Professor Dr. Devraj Adhikari, Chairman of the University Grants Commission, who emphasized the critical role of higher education in driving economic development and sustainable tourism. Dr. Adhikari highlighted the importance of aligning higher education curricula with industry needs, ensuring that the produced workforce is capable of meeting the demands of the business sector.
Professor Dr. Mahanand Chaliha, Dean of the Faculty of Management at Tribhuvan University, pointed out that a majority of students in the country are studying management courses. He stressed the need to create an environment in Nepal where these graduates can find employment opportunities within the country, helping to prevent brain drain and contribute to national growth.
Kiran KC, the Chairman of the Kalika Multi-purpose Campus Management Committee, shared that the campus is dedicated to offering quality education and continuously runs various programs to enrich student learning. Campus Chief Birenji Gautam noted that such programs, organized by accredited institutions, offer a significant opportunity for the tourism and economic development of Pokhara.
Senior tourism entrepreneur Ganesh Bahadur Bhattarai and Baibhav Poudel, among others, voiced the need for a stronger alignment between academic curricula and business practices to ensure a skilled workforce capable of contributing to the tourism sector.
The conference is co-organized by OTS Academy UK, along with the University Grants Commission, Faculty of Management Tribhuvan University, Pokhara Metropolitan City, and KC Group. The event features thematic presentations from professors and researchers, as well as group discussions on a variety of relevant topics. This conference is expected to create valuable insights and foster collaboration among academia and industry leaders, strengthening Nepal’s tourism sector and contributing to the country’s economic development.
