KATHMANDU, JULY 4
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.
A version of this article appears in the print on July 5, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.