Role of Diaspora to Strengthen Higher Education in the Field of Journalism in Nepal

1. Role of Diaspora to Strengthen
Higher Education in the Field of
Journalism in Nepal
Bhanu Bhakta Acharya
University of Ottawa
July 7, 2018

2. Overview of Media in Nepal
Media/Journalists Numbers
Newspapers Registered: 3865 (Dailies 655, bi-weeklies 30,
Weeklies 2778, Fortnightlies 402)
Currently publishing: 863 (Dailies 189; Bi-
weeklies 3; Weeklies 636; Fortnightlies 35
Source: PCN Nepal Annual Report, 2073/074,
p.181, & p.189)
Radios 740 (Commercial + Community)
Televisions 116 (Including Cable TV)
Online 1000+/- (inside/outside Nepal)
FNJ Members 13,050 journalists (10,662 male +2,354 female)

3. Media Education in Nepal
Academic degrees Affiliated campuses
PhD (Journalism) Central Department of Journalism
TU/RR Campus, Kathmandu
Mphil (Journalism) Central Department of Journalism
TU/RR Campus, Kathmandu
MA (JMC, MCJ, Media Tech) RR Campus, KCC, CJMC, Polygon,
Shepherd College)
BA (JMC,MCJ) 30+ Colleges across the country
11-12/ PlusTwo (MCJ) 150+ High School across the country
9-10 (MCJ) 5+/- schools to launch this course
External Universities:
Amity University (PhD program)
Shikkim Manipal University
Makhanlal Chaturvedi Patrakarita Vishwo
Vidyalaya, Bhopal, India
Distance learning PHD including
journalism research;
Communication and journalism related
coursed incorporated in IT courses, like

4. Current
Challenges

5. 1. Limited or no access to resources &
opportunities
– No access to digital
resources : e-journals, e-
books),
– Library are very small, and
have old collections, no
funding for new books
– Limited opportunities for
journalism educators to
upgrade their
skills/knowledge
– Same lecturers/professors
taught in
Intermediate/Undergrad/a
nd Graduate levels)

6. 2. Questions on academic
research practices
• Lack of qualified research supervisors. Non-PhD
Profs supervise PhD students.
• They Many M Phil/PHD supervisors have limited
knowledge of the overall responsibilities for the
rigorous research practices of Mphil and PHD
levels.
• It’s not mandatory for Profs to conduct/ publish
any research articles on accredited journals.

7. 3. Students focus on degrees,
not knowledge/skills
– Students rarely attend classroom
discussions
– Traditional exam systems (writing, not
much practical)
– Summary oriented learning, not
argument (no comparison to
international practices
– Lack of funding for research intensive
studies (UGC is the only source)
– Though I/NGOs have some limited
funding, they are limited to serve their
objectives

8. 4. Curriculum update is very slow,
careless, and illogical,
– Literature reviews are
conducted for formalities.
Research gaps are
superficial and
impractical
– Very limited efforts to
meet international
standards on media
research and journalism
education

9. Testimonial

10. 5. Plagiarism and ethics
• Plagiarism is at its peak
– Lack of technical resources to
assess plagiarism
– Lack of repository of past theses
– Lack of proactive role of
supervisors/professors
• Lack of research ethics
– Even today, JMC related
researches are conducted without
any formal standards on research
ethics
– Privacy information of research
participants is published without
their consent
– There are issues of information
misuse obtained for one purpose

11. What diaspora can do?
Strategies to
improve
journalism
education in
Nepal…

12. Institutional efforts
• Efforts required to develop sister relationship among
Nepali media academic institutions, and similar
organizations of developed countries
• Develop internships and students exchange programs
between sister organizations
• Encourage joint/dual degree program, if possible,
between Nepali and foreign academic
units/organizations
• Explore & disseminate foreign scholarships (such as,
Fulbright, Chevening) among Nepali audiences
• Establish a fund for research to encourage and
promote research-focus academic studies.

13. Individual efforts
• Frequently visit Nepal to share your expertise
(knowledge and skills) through workshops, seminars,
and guest speeches,
• Write articles on contemporary issues on Nepali media
(Nepali language preferred) to sensitize educators in
Nepal on int’l practices
• Write books (book chapters) to document your
learning, experiences and achievements that can be
beneficial to Nepali academia
• Build networks on social media platforms, and
constantly feed them with updated information, skills,
and knowledge

14. My individual efforts

15. Seminars/Workshops 2018

16. Curriculum development

17. Articles on contemporary
issues of Nepali media

18. Future plans
• Explore scholarship opportunities abroad to
research students of journalism and
communication
• Establish a research fund for MA/M Phil and PhD
students of journalism to support their
researches
• Initiate resource centers to contribute for
academic excellence in the country
– Journalism ethics resource center/ media library
– Academic writing center for journalism students
– Networking with global scholars