A conversation with Sushil Pokharel, a student who won a medal and prize for getting the best result in M.Sc.

How did it feel to receive a medal from the University? The

gold medal is not a one-time achievement. Many days and nights were worked for this . He was very excited to see his name at the front among thousands of students at the convocation ceremony. Chemistry was my favorite subject since school . I have been reading as much as chemistry within science . That's how much I started to enjoy. I told my friends that I will not change my Facebook profile picture until I become a gold medalist of TU . It was while studying at Vaichler . It's been 7 years now . I had promised to get a degree in 4 subjects if I could not become a gold medalist . I lost a lot for that . I used to strictly follow my daily routine . Relatives may have been away while studying hard. Opportunities may be lost. To fulfill the following goals, it seems that the first goal of the university has been fulfilled.

Past educational journey, school, plus two, graduation level where did you study ? How was it?

I completed my schooling from a community school in Resunga municipality of Gulmi district. That was old school . But I scored more than 80 percent for the first time . At that time, it seemed like a great achievement. It is nothing special. The person who brought distinction didn't read anything except science at that time . My favorite subject was science. 

I studied plus two in college in Palpa . At that time, a researcher who had a PhD from America was going to college. After sitting in his one-hour chemistry class, my interest grew even more . After that, I stopped thinking about becoming a doctor or an engineer. I made a promise that I would do MSc. Later, I got a chance to do a thesis under his supervision in the degree. 

I graduated from Bootball Multipurpose Campus . I learned that society, economics, politics, history, and science should be connected with education. When I arrived at the university, I started raising educational issues along with my studies. 

The interest of many students is to go and study in the central department of TU. But there is politicization. It's messy . It is also said that there is a share in the appointment. How is the university in particular?

There should be a political debate in the university . Currently, there is no political debate in the parliament in a positive way. That doesn't seem to be the case in court either. At least the professors in the university are debating that this is the principle of Mao, Marx, Gandhi, and Fedel Klisto. There should be political thinking. Professors doing politics is not a problem. Students doing politics for agenda is not a problem. Integrating for employee rights is also not a problem . The academic qualification to be a professor, the research report cannot be obtained by political affiliation. The problem is that a professor who has become a department head, campus head, dean, rector, registrar, vice-chancellor has to go to office. 

There is a situation where the most qualified people are left behind due to political appointments. The system of running the university is wrong. It is wrong to say that the Prime Minister is the Chancellor. This is the biggest problem. The Prime Minister says let this man of mine be the head of the department . Because of this, the university has not been able to become autonomous. The university cannot move forward unless empowered. If the criteria for appointment and promotion are set and implemented, there is no need to do politics . This system has not been applied to us . There is no need to do politics after making arrangements for the best qualified people to be in leadership. The head of the department makes students who are not at their best in the department fail. The score of students who have different political beliefs will be lower . Whose answer sheet is being tested like in SEE exam. It should be made unknown to the examiner . 

Students also lock up, vandalize, obstruct officials. Is this also politics?

What you said is absolutely right . But sometimes this happens. Department heads, campus heads, deans, registrars, rectors, vice-chancellors keep away from students . A student cannot meet the Vice-Chancellor as this is the situation in the university . When you can't keep your problem . The next option is locking . I didn't say the lockdown was right. There is also a habit of making a lock to make a favorable decision. Even now some places are locked . There was a sit-in at the office of the Vice-Chancellor for several days. This is a wrong political practice . Students should be able to take politics to the right tack .

How is Nepal's education system overall?

We have met the Dean of Science and informed him about the shortcomings in the curriculum. We have suggested to make a course so that the time of the students is also saved . If the first and second semesters are focused on theoretical subjects, then the subsequent semesters can be made practical. Then it is easy to go to research. Practical exercises are also very thorough. We are also weak in technology materials and labs . The government should increase investment in it. 

The central library of the university should be connected with the lab and the labs of each department should be improved. If we can do that, we can make the traditional research and experimental practice suitable for the market. Experimental practice should also be made in such a way that it can be connected with practice and industry. Every subject can be connected in that way . Then the curriculum can also be designed by making it research oriented. We are expecting to make a big change by applying the 50/60 year old curriculum.  The

curriculum needs to be adapted to the global environment . Even if the best students of the department are given jobs, there is no condition to stay in Nepal . This situation has come about even though students' studies cannot be connected with industry. Competent professors are in Trivim . But they haven't got the budget to do research. Even after getting the budget, the process is complicated . However, there have been researches. Not only is there nothing, the best of the country are in the university.

Received an academic degree from the Central Department of TU . What did you find the most beautiful part of it?

The learning environment of the university is very good . Students can be found sitting in the square and studying. Professors can be found talking about society, science, economics, diplomacy, politics in the tea shop. There is a situation where you can learn something even while drinking tea, and you can learn something even while eating peanuts. Such a good learning environment does not seem to exist in Nepal except Kirtipur . Despite being so good, the state does not seem to be able to use it correctly.

What is the reason for the increase in students' attraction to foreign countries?

Even though I finished my studies, I went out in search of a job . I reached some plus two to teach. After winning the gold medal, no one tried to keep me . Everyone says that going abroad in 6 months will not last. I don't know foreign countries, how can I live in Nepal when people say they don't live in the country? It is the society that forces them to go abroad. After everyone said that, it seems that I am not a person born to live in Nepal . There is no living environment here . 

The government and the university have not done what they can do. The best students can be placed in the central department or the relevant ministry as an internship or contract. There is a shortage of teachers and working staff. The state cannot employ students. Why can't the government appoint gold medalists on contract in any campus ? I am willing to go to any campus for 2 years . If I stay here for at least 2 years, my opinion of going abroad may change . While receiving the medal from the Prime Minister, I also asked for time to explain the situation of the university, but I did not get the time . 

What did you want to say to the Prime Minister?

What's wrong with giving a medallist a job opportunity here? First of all, why can't students of management be appointed in government banks, education toppers in campuses, schools, science medalists in government research centers? The government cannot separate the toppers of the 40/50 vacancies of the university. I want to do research but I can't get funding from anywhere unless I am a university professor . University Service Commission does not open on time . At least there should be a sustainable environment. It seems that the Prime Minister, Minister of Education and higher officials do not understand this. They will meet the leaders. Leaders always say that it is good. Without understanding the real problem, the problem cannot be solved . 

Suggestions for education improvement and tell something about your educational future.

is syndicated in the departments of the university. Students cannot even ask questions. There is fear that the number will decrease when asking questions. It is necessary to do reform works in the university . University Service Commission should be regular. If that had been possible, I would have entered the service first and started further studies. I don't want to go abroad. I have to wait for the service commission this year. I can't wait forever. If you are forced to go abroad, there is no 100% guarantee that you will return.