Nepal’s move to bring China in SAARC as an observer has been a positive starter

Prof. Dr. Sushil Raj Pandey

Political Science Department, T.U, Nepal

Professor Dr. Sushil Raj Pandey has been in the teaching profession since well over three decades at the Tribhuvan University. To his credit, he has two Masters’ degree in the discipline of Political Science from Nepal and United States of America. He secured his doctoral degree from Banaras Hindu University, BHU, India.

Prof. Dr. Pandey teaches ‘Research Methodology’ based on statistical methods. This is widely considered to be a field, which is taught, in a very few academic institutions in entire South Asia.

Pandey also supervises Ph.D. students at the Tribhuvan University and has till now produced a dozen plus Doctoral degree holders.

Recently this world acclaimed Nepali scholar was a visiting full-bright Professor at Tallahasse Community College, Florida, USA, around the year 2003-4 wherein he spent a full academic year. At this Community College, Prof. Dr. Pandey taught the Americans their own politics and government.

Later, he also taught for six months at Florida State University. The topic here was “South Asian Politics”.

Last week, we approached this versatile political scientist for an exclusive tête-à-tête on the contemporary national issues.  Below the results-Chief editor

Prof. Pandey:  The way I see it is the events have been very unusual and some what unprecedented in Nepal’s history.

The meeting of interests among various ideological forces does create challenges which only future will be able to reveal. At this point in transition it is the peace process which should be the major concern of all the parties, including the Maoists who intend to join into the parliamentary democratic process.

This is not an easy task for any of the parties. The international community led by major powers Japan, European Union, and America are eager to see that Nepal does really move in a peaceful, stable politics.

Given the tradition of corruption and anti-people activities across the length and the breadth of the past sixteen years, it is one thing to expect for betterment but on the other this may not be true given the current state of party-interests that appear to be above state and national interests. Unless rule of law applies, there is no redemption for the common people of Nepal. The leaders must behave to the expectation of the people.

Prof. Pandey: Your question clearly answers the question itself. There was no need for the party leaders including the Maoists to fix the date of the CA elections. This is irresponsible on the part of the political leaders. Who can be held responsible if CA election is postponed? No one! Because there is no opposition in the country. The political parties can continue the existing situation for their interests and keep on lying the public about Loktantra.

The process of holding CA election is a very long process that can take a decade for a country like Nepal as the people should be first fully literate and have higher level of political consciousness. This is not the case. What is likely is that once again CA philosophy embedded in the ideas of federalism and republicanism can only lead to chaos and more conflict.

Prof. Pandey: The various political parties from extreme Left to extreme Right have to adjust to the ground reality of Nepali society and geography without which the political parties can not think of unity. A baseline of common interests to protect national sovereignty, independence, and freedom should be there. Otherwise, what is happening today is but expected.

Given the wide spectrum of the multiparty activities it is not possible to think of rival polarizing ideologies to work together to ensure parliamentary democracy. The challenges are there.

Prof. Pandey: The move Nepal took to bring China in the SAARC process as observer has been a positive starter for the SAARC association to impress Japan, America, EU, and South Korea.

This initiative is visionary if one is to look beyond South Asia and work towards greater integration of regional associations in Asia.

The world today is not bound by sensitivity of one nation but by collective interests of people across nations under the UN flag. So by building bridges between major economic powers of Asia, India and China, there is much Nepal can benefit through the SAARC process.

Prof. Pandey: The problems of higher education in Nepal have not been understood by the political leaders.

Many experts have pointed out the causes of failure of Nepalese educational system but very little has been done to ameliorate the fast dying institution. What could be the solution? First, breakup the monolithic power structure of Tribhuvan University and empower regional autonomous educational institutions without any dependency on the center. What this means is if by any chance the country goes for federal structure, the development regions can be starting point to build individual institutions of higher learning which are capable of mobilizing local resources and talent.

Second, the State should clearly develop a national educational policy to ensure functional literacy for the whole country and then reduce state subsidy to educational institutions. Privatization with affordable educational fees can help the State without depending on public revenues and international assistance.

The free market force will take care automatically.

The quality of the education can improve if the award system is there for the good teachers and researchers.

Third, the manpower that is in the educational administration must be drastically reduced may be by eighty percent so that the teachers themselves can shoulder the administrative functions as well. This is the case with most universities. A small number of administrative staff is enough to manage the university.

Fourth, to move quickly the Nepalese universities should internationalize by twining up with quality universities in China, India, and the Western countries. This would compel teachers to adopt to the changing standard in education and promote greater exchanges of people and ideas between scholars worldwide.

Last but not the least, the curriculum in higher education should be driven by the market forces so that Nepalese graduates are eligible to compete internationally.

Prof. Pandey could be reached at srpdr12-@hotmail.com

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