UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

11/19/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 11/19/2024 11:18

UNESCO-UNEVOC National TVET Policy Dialogue in Nepal

Program agenda: Day 1 - National TVET Policy Dialogue

Opening Session

Moderator of the session: CTEVT

09:00-09:05 am: Seat Taking of the Guests

09:05-09:10 am: National Anthem

09:10-09:15 am: Welcome Remarks from CTEVT- Mr. Tek Bahadur Malla, Director, Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT)

9:15 - 9:20 am: Formal Inauguration from the Chief Guest

9:20 - 9:30 am: Welcome Remarks, Mr. Friedrich Huebler, Head, UNESCO-UNEVOC

9:30 - 9:50 am: Presentation, Dr. Olivier PIEUME, Chief of Technical Cooperation Unit, UNESCO-UNEVOC

  • Presentation of the Agenda, Objectives and Expected Results of the Workshop
  • Presentation on SDG Targets related to TVET and UNESCO Strategy for TVET (2022-2029)

9:50 - 10:05 am: Remarks, and Presentation, Er. Mahesh Bhattarai, Member Secretary, CTEVT

  • Presentation on the Status of TVET in Nepal, including National Strategic Objectives

10:05 - 10:15 am: Remarks, Dr. Dipak Kafle, Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science & Technology

10:15 - 10:25 am: Remarks, Hon. Geeta Kumari Poudyal Adhikari, Member, National Planning Commission

10:25 - 10:35 am: Inaugural Remarks from the Chief Guest, Hon. Bidhya Bhattarai, Minister for Education, Science & Technology

10:35 - 11:00 am: Group Photo / Tea Break

Thematic 1: Private Sector Engagement in TVET and 21st-Century Skills for Employability

Session 1.1: Presentations and panel discussions

11:00 - 11:20 am: Mr. Naceur Chraiti, Former Head, UNESCO IIEP Platform of Expertise in Vocational Training (Pefop)

  • Presentation on International Context/Perspectives
  • Q&A

11:25 - 11:45 am: Er. Anoj Bhattarai, PhD, Executive Director, Training Institute for Technical Instruction (TITI)

  • Presentation on National Context / Perspectives
  • Q&A

11:45 am -1:00 pm: Panel Discussion

  • Moderator: Mr. Naceur Chraiti
  • Chair: Mr. Ana Prasad Neupane
  • Joint Secretary, TVET Division, MoEST
  • Panellist I: Er. Birendra Raj Pandey, Vice President, Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI)
  • Panellist II: Ms. Vidushi Rana, Executive Director, Goldstar Shoes

  • Panellist III: Er. Anoj Bhattarai, PhD, Executive Director, TITI

    Q&A

    Summary by Chair

13:00-14:00: Lunch break

Thematic 2: Digital Transformation - ICT in TVET / Strategies for Digital Skills Development

Session 2.1: Presentations and panel discussions

14:00-14:20: Dr. Janaka Jayalath, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, University of Vocational Technology, Sri Lanka

  • Presentation on International Context/Perspectives
  • Q&A

14:20-14:40: Mr. Ramesh Sharma Poudel, Director General, Department of Information Technology

  • Presentation on National Context / Perspectives
  • Q&A

14:45-16:00: Panel Discussion

  • Moderator: Dr. Janaka Jayalath
  • Chair: Prof. Dr. Rajendra Prasad Adhikari, Chairperson, TITI
  • Panellist I: Mr. Romkanta Pandey, Head of Department, ICT Education Department, Tribhuvan University
  • Panellist II: Mr. Pukar Acharya, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Sajilo Sewa

  • Panellist III: Mr. Ramesh Sharma Poudel, Director General, Department of Information Technology

    Q&A

    Summary by Chair

END OF DAY 1

Program agenda: Day 2 - National TVET Policy Dialogue

Thematic 3: Greening TVET - Exploring Green Economy Skills and Sustainable Practices

Session 3.1: Presentations and panel discussions

Moderator of the session: UNESCO-UNEVOC

9:00 - 9:20 am: Dr. Margarita Pavlova, Coordinator, UNEVOC Centre (The Education University of Hong Kong), Hong Kong

  • Presentation on International Context/Perspectives
  • Q&A

9:20 - 9:35 am: Er. Saurav Ram Joshi, National Technical Officer, International Labour Organization (ILO)

  • Presentation on National Context / Perspectives
  • Q&A

9:35 - 10:35 am: Panel Discussion

  • Moderator: Dr. Margarita Pavlova
  • Chair: Hon Dr. Dinesh Chandra Devkota, Member, Bagmati Provincial Assembly
  • Panellist I: Prof. Dr. Sangita Singh, Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, Tribhuvan University
  • Panellist II: Ms. Abhigya Malla, Managing Director, Union Hydropower Ltd and High Himalaya Hydro Construction Pvt. Ltd.

  • Panellist III: Er. Saurav Ram Joshi, National Technical Officer, ILO

    Q&A

    Summary by Chair

Session 3.2: Working group and restitutions

Moderator of the session: UNESCO Kathmandu

10:35-10:45 :Group constitution / Tea Break

Working Groups

  • Group A: Private Sector Engagement
  • Group B: Digital Transformation
  • Group C: Greening TVET

10:45-10:50 : Explanation of Working Modalities and Methodology

10:50-12:00: Group Work / Discussion

12:00-13:00: Group Presentations

13:00-14:00: Lunch

Session 4: Restructuring TVET governance in a federal system

Moderator of the session: CTEVT

2:00 - 3:15 pm: Mr. Ana Prasad Neupane, Joint Secretary, TVET Division, MoEST

  • Presentation
  • Discussion

Closing Session

Moderator of the session: CTEVT

15:15-15:30: Wrap up and next steps, Dr. Olivier Pieume, Chief of Technical Cooperation Unit, UNESCO-UNEVOC

15:30-16:00: Closing remarks

  • Michael Croft, UNESCO Representative to Nepal
  • Representative, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
  • Vote of Thanks - Er. Mahesh Bhattarai, Member Secretary, CTEVT
  • Prof. Dr. Shiva Raj Adhikari, Honourable Vice Chairperson, National Planning Commission

Background

As UNESCO's specialized center for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), UNESCO-UNEVOC plays a vital role in supporting member states to enhance and modernize their TVET systems. Through a range of innovative projects, capacity-building programs, and collaborative initiatives involving over 230 UNEVOC Centers globally, UNESCO-UNEVOC is committed to promoting equitable access to quality skills training and development for all.

The UNESCO-UNEVOC TVET program focuses on empowering TVET leaders, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to drive positive change in their institutions and beyond. By updating participants on the latest trends and best practices in the TVET field, the program ensures that leaders are prepared to navigate the complexities of effective leadership within the sector.

In Nepal, the TVET system is recognized as a key driver for equipping the workforce with the skills needed to spur economic growth, innovation, and social inclusion. While the country is making concerted efforts to align its TVET sector with international standards, it is also addressing unique local challenges. In response, the Government of Nepal has introduced the TVET Sector Strategic Plan (2023-2032), which prioritizes "Access and Equity," "Quality, Relevance, and Efficiency," "Coherence and Transferability," and "Governance and Management."

At the forefront of these efforts is the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT), the apex body responsible for overseeing and regulating TVET in Nepal. Established in 1989, CTEVT is mandated to develop technical education and vocational training to meet the country's growing labor market needs.

CTEVT's mission is to create a competent, skilled, and competitive workforce that can contribute to national development and foster socio-economic progress. To achieve this, CTEVT plays multiple roles, including policy formulation, curriculum development, quality assurance, accreditation, and coordination with public and private sectors.

The National TVET Policy Dialogue is designed to bring stakeholders together to facilitate the effective implementation of this strategic plan. Key areas of focus will include leveraging digital transformation, greening TVET, fostering 21st-century skills for the employability, and strengthening partnerships with the private sector. This dialogue represents a critical opportunity to enhance the quality and relevance of Nepal's TVET system. By aligning the TVET Strategic Plan with global best practices while considering the country's socio-economic realities, the dialogue aims to provide a clear roadmap for promoting innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity within Nepal's TVET sector.

Objectives

This policy dialogue will serve as a platform for key stakeholders to:

  • Assess Global and National TVET Trends: Understand international trends in TVET, focusing on digital transformation, greening TVET, private sector engagement, and sustainable development, and how they can be adapted to Nepal's context.

  • Identify Challenges and Opportunities: Examine the bottlenecks and opportunities in implementing Nepal's TVET Sector Strategic Plan, particularly in areas like greening TVET initiatives, work-based learning, and digitalization.

  • Strengthen Implementation: Exchange ideas on best practices for successful implementation of the TVET Strategic Plan, including the roles of different sectors such as industry, education, and labor.

  • Promote Public-Private Partnerships: Explore strategies to increase private sector involvement in TVET, fostering stronger linkages between training institutions and the labor market.

Key Thematic Areas

  • Greening TVET: Transitioning towards a green economy requires a TVET system that can equip the workforce with skills for sustainable development. The session will explore how TVET institutions in Nepal can integrate environmental sustainability into curricula and operations.

  • Digital Transformation: The session will examine how Nepal's TVET system can embrace digital technologies to modernize education and training. This includes strategies for increasing access to digital tools, remote learning, and industry-relevant ICT skills.

  • Private Sector Engagement and 21st-century skills for employability: A critical challenge for Nepal is aligning the TVET system with the needs of the labor market. The dialogue will focus on creating frameworks for better collaboration between TVET institutions and industries, fostering apprenticeships, internships, and dual training systems.

Target Audience

The dialogue will bring together a diverse group of participants, including:

  • Policymakers and decision-makers from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MoEST), Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT), and related bodies.

  • Representatives from the private sector, industry associations, and employers.

  • Development partners and donor agencies.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the policy dialogue, participants are expected to:

  • Develop a shared understanding of global and national trends shaping the future of TVET in Nepal.

  • Identify specific actions required to overcome challenges and enhance the effectiveness of Nepal's TVET Sector Strategic Plan.

  • Strengthen partnerships between the government, TVET providers, and the private sector to enhance labor market linkages and the employability of graduates.

  • Policy Recommendation Note: The main output of the dialogue will be a policy recommendation document that outlines clear, actionable steps for the enhancement of Nepal's TVET sector. This document will:

  • Identify specific actions for improving the implementation of the TVET Sector Strategic Plan, ensuring that it aligns with national priorities and international best practices.
  • Propose actionable steps to integrate greening TVET and digital transformation within the TVET sector, promoting sustainability and supporting the country's commitments to sustainable development goals.
  • Highlight strategies to strengthen private sector engagement in TVET, focusing on work-based learning models and fostering public-private partnerships that align training with labor market needs.