By Bal Krishna Sah in The Himalayan Times, July 5, 2023
Amidst Aastha Dahal’s struggle to acquire equivalence certificate from
the oldest University of Nepal, Tribhuvan University, students who
have obtained their degree abroad are terrified to apply for equivalence
certificate after Dahal’s case came to the limelight.
More than 230 netizens have shared Aastha’s story on social media
pouring out their frustration and bad experience with the CDC of TU.
Many of them have shown support and solidarity with Dahal.
Likewise, students who are studying abroad and thinking of returning
to Nepal have commented, “If Aastha Dahal, a Kathmandu-based
lawyer with a PhD in criminology from the University of Cambridge
has to struggle for two years for equivalence certificate. What will our
predicament be?”
“Extremely disappointing, but hardly surprising. If this is how they
treat people like Aastha, you can imagine how they treat everyone
else,” wrote Shrochis Karki, an Oxford graduate.
Mibusha Ghimire said, “This is an example of rampant corruption and
the mafia still exists within the system in the name of education.”
She further said, “I know how frustrating and tiring this process has
been for you Aastha. Reminds me of my friend in the past who also had
to fight for years to get an equivalence certificate, nothing has changed
still, things are the same. And I am sure there are many others in this
hassleful journey.”
Likewise, many of them have also said, “It’s better to leave the country
than sing the song of motherland and nationality. There is no proper
scope for youths.”
“I would rather use the degree and get a comfortable life or at least a
decent life from where I got the degree. Nepal is nothing but a country
full of crooks. It’s our motherland, but I would never invest a penny
there. From education to the justice system, it’s nothing but fraud and
corruption. Aastha Dahal, I hope you get your work done, but I would
suggest utilising your skill for the country that made it possible. Love
my country to death but it is what it is,” wrote Dipesh Thapa.
Likewise, Govinda Shah expressed, “I faced the same problem. My
degree from the University of Warsaw is a Postgraduate Diploma. TU
staff asked me to prove whether postgraduate means Masters or not.
Also, they first asked me to pay Rs 1,000 and then the next day asked
for Rs 4000. It took me a year to get an equivalence certificate.”
Dinesh Pariyar wrote,”I have been running to TU since 2016 but still
have not received my equivalence certificate. I have lost all hope from
this institute and country.”
Awasthi Bhuwan Prasad wrote, “After hearing a lot of comments
regarding equivalence, I don’t even have the courage to start filing for
my combined Ms/PhD.”
“I have not sought equivalence certificate for my PhD from Monash
University yet. Postponing this headache but I will take this battle up
someday,” wrote Neeti Aryal Khanal.
“It was like climbing Mt Everest experience for me to get equivalence
from TU. I almost missed my Vidhya Bhushan Padak due to the delay.
I can relate to every word that Aastha has written,” wrote Vibek
Manandhar.
Susen Shrestha responded to Aastha with these words, “Sad! I plan to
go through the same process later this year. I don’t think I am ready for
it.”
“I am facing similar issues as Aastha is right now,” wrote Abhishek
Arjel. https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/degree-holders-from-abroad-terrorised
