ECAN and IEPAN Sign Landmark MoU to Establish Nepal as a Global Higher Education Hub

EDUCAST, In a milestone development for the country’s academic ecosystem, the Educational Consultancy Association of Nepal (ECAN) and the International Education Providers Association of Nepal (IEPAN) have signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish Nepal as a premier international higher education hub. The landmark agreement, aimed at driving the “Study in Nepal” campaign and elevating quality assurance across foreign-affiliated institutions, was formalized during a high-profile ceremony held at the Kathmandu Marriott Hotel in Naxal.

The partnership bridges two crucial dimensions of the nation’s educational sphere. ECAN, a premier umbrella organization guiding thousands of domestic students toward ethical global education, has aligned with IEPAN, which represents colleges offering foreign university programs approved by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology. Moving forward, the strategic alliance will focus heavily on international student recruitment, institutional branding, collaborative research, and cross-border academic diplomacy.

During the signing ceremony, ECAN President Laxman Poudel (Andrew) emphasized that the partnership builds a highly transparent, competitive, and student-friendly environment. He stated that the network of consultancies will now have direct, streamlined access to verified, real-time data regarding academic programs, admission criteria, and scholarship provisions offered by IEPAN colleges, ensuring students receive credible counseling right at home.

The collaborative spirit was echoed by past and executing leadership present at the event. Highlighting the institutional strength of the alliance, ECAN Immediate Past President Seshraj Bhattarai noted that combining the operational insights of advisory bodies with the solid academic infrastructure of foreign-affiliated campuses will help retain national talent while actively capturing foreign student interests.

The agreement also outlines a rigorous roadmap for joint educational seminars, international B2B networking conferences, and dedicated capacity-building workshops. IEPAN Vice President Bigyan Shrestha highlighted that the shared framework will prioritize academic innovation and research, providing a reliable domestic alternative for global-standard degrees while positioning the valley as an attractive destination for regional students.

Beyond academic integration, the two organizations have explicitly integrated a shared commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) to expand local access. IEPAN General Secretary Sailaja Adhikari confirmed that the two secretariats will work closely to structure specialized scholarship opportunities and academic pathways explicitly tailored for underprivileged, marginalized, and exceptionally meritorious students within member institutions, turning the vision of an inclusive, globally recognized educational hub into reality.

News in Nepali