Nepali universities have put forward a proposal to arrange 'credit transfer' for Nepali students who have returned from Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha, India.

The university has also stated that preparations have been started so that they can complete the rest of their studies at the level they are currently studying through 'credit transfer'. However, if the government does not take a concrete decision, there is confusion about what the process of 'credit transfer' will be. 

After the death of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal at KIIT and the mistreatment of Nepali students, the government estimates that hundreds of students have returned home. The students said they did not want to return to KIIT due to insecurity. Government agencies including the Ministry of Education and Foreign Affairs do not even have accurate data about the number and condition of students who are in KIIT and have returned to Nepal. At this time, the university has announced that it will make arrangements for returning students to teach in their own country. 

Purvanchal University has decided to make arrangements for students who could not complete their studies abroad to study in their campus by 'credit transfer'. Last Friday, the registrar's office of the university issued a notice and said that the students who could not complete their studies abroad due to reasons will complete the process in coordination with the government and arrange for 'credit transfer'. It is mentioned in the notification that the arrangement will be made according to the criteria determined by the academic council in the official and affiliated campuses of the university. 

Kathmandu University has also started a discussion regarding 'credit transfer' for such students. The academic council has said that discussions have been held to understand the situation of students who cannot continue their studies in foreign universities. Students are informed to submit the online form to participate in the discussion on next Friday.

The University Grants Commission does not have a policy regarding the 'credit transfer' of students. Devaraj Adhikari, Chairman of the Commission, said that there should be a standard for 'transfer' in graduation and post-graduation, and there is no information about whether Nepalese universities have a policy in this regard. "The commission is preparing a draft of the national policy on credit transfer, the university is going to proceed with the program according to its policy," he said. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Foreign Minister Arju Rana Deuba, ruling and opposition party leaders and MPs have given attention-grabbing statements regarding the

incident. The issue of solving the problems of students has also been introduced in the Parliament. However, the state is neglecting to collect the data of Nepali students in KIIT and those who have returned from there. 

Raju Shrestha, deputy secretary of the Ministry of Education Help Desk, says that the Ministry of Education does not have data on how many students went to study at KIIT and how many returned after the incident. After the incident, the Ministry requested the data of students going to study in India from the Nepal Educational Consultancy Association Nepal (ECAN). When estimating the number of Nepali students in Indian educational institutions, it is seen that many students go without taking No Objection Certificate (NOC). However, the government does not have a mechanism to regulate students who go to study in India without taking NOC. 

 Ministry spokesperson Shivkumar Sapkota said that although there is no official data, he has received information that students are returning to KIIT. "The Indian government and the university have also promised to create a comfortable environment," he said, "Students seem to be in the mood to return." Spokesperson Sapkota also said that the ministry is facilitating students to complete their studies from the university where they are studying.

 "Universities of Nepal have advanced the issue of credit transfer," he said, "The Ministry of Education is in favor of creating an environment for all students to complete their education from the place where they are studying." If not, we can go for credit transfer for the convenience of the students. Kathmandu University Academic Council Member Secretary Balchandra Luintel said that the students and parents are interested in credit transfer. "Students who have gone to study in different countries sometimes face problems," he said, "credit transfer has been practiced since before. We are going to continue with that. Luitel said that students can easily transfer and study here if they bring an official educational certificate that they have studied in a foreign educational institution.