Bishnu Bahadur Khatri

University education in Nepal is still facing academic pressure to align with labor market-driven curricular reform. This study documents the Labor Market-Driven Curriculum of the Rural Development subject recently developed by the Central Department of Rural Development with financial support from the University Grants Commission Nepal. In doing so, the study uses a participatory action research design by engaging with a total of 128 stakeholders former department heads, faculty, students, course coordinators, and external government, and non-government and private-sector representatives across five structured workshops. Workshop data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-phase thematic framework to synthesize feedback into actionable curricular decisions. The resulting curriculum restructures the program into a 21-subject four-semester format guided by five principles of labor market-responsive design: adaptability, predictability, consistency, cooperation, and continuity. It integrates foundational, thematic, and applied development coursework with six new mandatory and elective subjects, emphasizing interdisciplinary learning, digital literacy, hands-on training, and specialization pathways suited to Nepal’s changing employment landscape. The findings demonstrate that structured, multi-stakeholder participatory processes offer a workable mechanism for reconciling academic curricula with labor market demands within existing university governance structures. Beyond its institutional relevance to the department and university, the study offers a transferable process model for curriculum reform applicable to other universities in Nepal, South Asia and the Global South confronting similar academia–industry gaps.

With the rapid growth of social media use in Nepal and their engagement with customers, understanding how these platforms support customer loyalty becomes essential for retail businesses. This study investigates the role of social media marketing in shaping brand loyalty among retail customers in Nepal through an integrated research design that combines systematic bibliometric and survey data analysis. The bibliometric findings suggest a clear progression in the literature, moving from a foundational emphasis on relationship marketing and loyalty theory toward a more integrated framework that incorporates social media engagement and, ultimately, measurable business outcomes. The quantitative results based on survey data conducted with 100 Nepalese consumers active on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok show that effective social media strategies and the ability to address implementation difficulties significantly enhance brand loyalty. In contrast, the direct influence of customer trust is limited. The findings highlight the importance of tailored and interactive content, supported by appropriate digital practices, particularly in regions with developing infrastructure. This study offers practical recommendations to improve digital engagement, encourage retailers to collaborate with local influencers, respond to customer feedback, maintain transparency in messaging, and enhance digital capabilities to implement effective social media strategies. It also underscores the value of producing culturally relevant content that aligns with local interests and behaviours.

Systematic reviews are crucial for comprehending conceptual development within academic disciplines. This study analyses the role of community participation in ecotourism by reviewing publications from 2009 to 2024, adhering to the PRISMA protocol. The objectives include evaluating previous advancements, assessing current knowledge, and identifying future directions in the field. Seventy-one journal articles were reviewed through predefined selection criteria, systematic database searches, and content analysis. The findings indicate a geographically diverse literature base, predominantly centred on Southeast and South Asia. The analysis shows that active community participation is essential for sustainable ecotourism, leading to better conservation outcomes, greater economic benefits, and stronger social cohesion. Persistent challenges impede meaningful engagement, including power imbalances, economic disparities, and inadequate equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms. Resolving these issues necessitates clear communication and the development of capabilities and frameworks for inclusive governance. The review highlights the complexities involved in evaluating the broader impact of ecotourism on sustainable development despite notable successes.

We examine the effects of educational downgrades on early-career Nepali graduates navigating post-study life and prospective students to Australia. This research uses a qualitative-dominant mixed-methods approach, with both qualitative and quantitative data. This research has employed a descriptive, exploratory research design. The findings reveal that three dominant factors play crucial roles in selecting alternative destinations for international study. The study concludes that Australian educational downsizing markedly reshapes aspirations and expected returns to education due to increasing uncertainty, whereas Nepalese students are redirected to alternative destinations, underscoring the need for student-friendly policies for destinations and a stronger domestic education system. Therefore, this research focuses on the Nepalese case, linking Australian higher-education downsizing to academic disruption and career uncertainty among international students.

This article critically examines the limitations of GDP-centered economic models and their implications for social inequality, climate change vulnerability, and biodiversity loss. Drawing on evidence from Oxfam, the Commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress led by Joseph Stiglitz, Carnegie UK, and other credible empirical sources, it analyzes the consequences of relying on GDP as the primary measure of development. The analysis demonstrates that GDP fails to capture key dimensions of human well-being, social equity, and environmental sustainability, resulting in an incomplete assessment of societal progress. The article argues for a transition toward a multidimensional development framework that integrates the interconnected pillars of people, planet, peace, prosperity, and partnership. It identifies key policy priorities for moving beyond GDP and adopting more comprehensive indicators of progress. The paper concludes that achieving sustainable development requires a paradigm shift from GDP-based evaluation to holistic measures that better reflect the economic, social, and environmental complexities of contemporary societies.

Purpose: This paper mainly focuses on the scenario underpinned by the possibilities of integration of Indigenous science and school science curriculum in Nepal. Design/Approach/Methods: This study utilized a literature review in the field of national and international educational policies of indigeneity, Western science practice, curricular policy, and reformative approach to the science curriculum. It used a PRISMA flow diagram for the inclusion and exclusion of literature. Finally, 57 documents were included for this conceptual study. Findings: Different knowledge practices by Indigenous and cultural peoples before scientific discoveries were made, were eco-friendly and empirically handed down through generations via cultural transmission. However, the hegemonic and imperative Western knowledge system denies the life-world knowledge of cultural peoples. The Nepali science curriculum largely emphasizes Western scientific practices, portraying them as modern and superior, while Indigenous knowledge is often overlooked or dismissed as dogmatic. Revisiting the curriculum to integrate Indigenous science is crucial for fostering inclusivity and recognizing its value. Originality/Value: Cultural assimilation and acculturation are prioritized in science teaching rather than enculturation due to political and policy-level obstruction. Dialogue with different stakeholders and political commitment is a prerequisite for present science teaching and curriculum reforming.

Background: The proliferation of digital learning platforms has positioned YouTube as a dominant resource in student learning ecosystems, particularly for exam preparation and conceptual understanding. While studies acknowledge its widespread use, questions persist regarding its actual educational efficacy and relationship to academic performance. Objective: This study examines the predictive relationship between YouTube usage frequency for exam preparation and students' perceived academic improvement, while addressing gaps in existing literature regarding platform-specific learning impacts. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed, collecting data from 390 university students via a validated survey instrument. Reliability analysis confirmed strong internal consistency (α=0.866). Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation and simple linear regression to assess the relationship between usage frequency and perceived academic benefits. Findings: Results revealed a significant positive relationship (β=0.811, p<0.001), with YouTube usage frequency explaining 65.8% of variance in perceived academic improvement (R²=0.658). The strong predictive power suggests YouTube plays a substantial role in students' learning strategies. Conclusion: While YouTube demonstrates significant potential as an academic resource, its effectiveness depends on usage patterns and content quality. The findings advocate for structured integration of YouTube in educational contexts alongside media literacy training. Novelty: This study provides empirical evidence quantifying YouTube's specific contribution to perceived academic performance, advancing beyond general technology-use studies. It introduces a validated measurement approach for platform-specific educational impact assessment.

This study examines the environmental effects of remittances in the five largest remittance-receiving countries (India, Mexico, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan) using panel data from 1990 to 2022 sourced from the World Development Indicators. The study employed a quantitative and analytical research design. Remittances are a critical component of economic stability in these countries, yet their impact on carbon emissions and environmental sustainability remains underexplored. The study utilized a dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) method to analyze study variables. Unit root and cointegration tests were performed to assess long-run relationships. A dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) (pooled estimation) results revealed that GDP per capita and trade openness have significant positive influences on CO₂ emissions. On the contrary, urban population has significant negative influences on CO₂ emissions. In contrast, remittances show no notable effect on CO2 emissions. Furthermore, the results show significant long-run cointegration among the variables, with GDP per capita, trade openness, and urban population identified as major drivers of CO2 emissions. These findings indicate that economic growth, trade liberalization, and demographic expansion are key drivers of environmental degradation, while the direct environmental impact of remittances appears minimal. The study recommends policymakers prioritize environmentally sustainable investments to align remittance-driven economic growth with global climate goals.

This research investigates the impact of governance quality, political stability, corruption management, regulatory quality, and governmental effectiveness on economic growth in Nepal, utilizing annual time series data spanning from 1996 to 2022. Advanced econometric techniques, including Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS), Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS), and Canonical Cointegrating Regression (CCR), are employed to analyze both short- and long-term relationships. The results reveal a significant positive relationship between political stability and economic growth (FMOLS coefficient = 5.51E+09, p < 0.01), underscoring the importance of a stable political environment. Conversely, government effectiveness negatively correlates with GDP (FMOLS coefficient = -2.31E+10, p < 0.01), suggesting potential inefficiencies in governance. Corruption control exhibits mixed effects, showing a positive influence on GDP in some models (CCR coefficient = 1.11E+10, p < 0.10). Similarly, regulatory quality yields variable results, with a positive DOLS coefficient of 9.68E+09 (p < 0.05). Johansen's cointegration test confirms significant long-term relationships among the variables, while Granger causality tests identify political stability and government effectiveness as key drivers of GDP. These findings highlight the need for governance reforms that focus on enhancing political stability, improving regulatory quality, and addressing inefficiencies in public administration. Policymakers are urged to implement targeted strategies to promote sustainable economic growth in Nepal.