Kispang Rural Municipality Emerges as a Premier Hub for Technical Education

Nuwakot. Kispang Rural Municipality, known for its natural beauty, is now emerging as a prominent educational destination. Over the past three years, the rural municipality has been operating a technical college affiliated with the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) at an affordable cost, attracting students from as far as Sankhuwasabha in the east to Kanchanpur in the west.

As the first rural municipality in the country to operate its own polytechnic institute for health sciences, Kispang charges only Rs 195,000 for General Medicine and Diploma in Pharmacy courses.

Established in 2080 BS at Kahule, Kispang-3, the institute initially enrolled students only for the Diploma in Pharmacy due to a delay in affiliation. Since then, it has successfully filled all quotas for both General Medicine and Pharmacy for subsequent batches.

With students from all seven provinces and 31 districts, this institute is likely the first of its kind in the country. With 30 percent of students from the home district of Nuwakot and the rest from across the nation, Kispang has become a village of educational tourism. Most students from outside the district reside in the college hostel, while others have rented rooms nearby.

Students like Sangita Magar from Sankhuwasabha, Dhansori Budhathoki from Salyan, Priyanka Yadav from Mahottari, Arpit Kumar Das from Sarlahi, and Akriti Chaudhary from Rautahat expressed their joy in being part of a diverse student body. Similarly, Kopila Bishwakarma and Pramila Dani from Bajura, along with Vijaya Gurung from Surkhet, noted that the cultural exchange among students from various districts has been a valuable learning experience.

Nabin Bayak from Achham and Pawan Baral from Surkhet shared that they have gained unique experiences by making new friends alongside their technical studies. Interestingly, the institute even hosts a father-daughter duo, Dilli Dhakal and Salina Dhakal, both studying Pharmacy.

Dilli Dhakal, a resident of Likhu Rural Municipality-2, Dhikure, plans to open a pharmacy in his village after completing his studies. "It is a great achievement for us to have such education available in rural areas," he said.

Shailesh Giri, who traveled from Ghodaghodi Municipality-2 in Kailali, stated that despite the geographical distance, he chose this institute for its affordability. Along with Giri, 17 students are currently undergoing practical training at Lomas Pharmaceuticals in Gatthaghar, Bhaktapur, while some are working at Trishuli Hospital in Bidur, Nuwakot.

Anjali Giri from Suryagadhi-5, Nuwakot, praised the organized and safe housing for female students, while Ruwan Tamang from Kispang-1, Bhalche, expressed satisfaction with the overall quality of education. Both plan to open medical clinics after graduation.

According to Principal Binod Neupane, the institute reflects the diversity of the nation. In the first year, there are 40 students each in General Medicine and Pharmacy, including three scholarship recipients. Students from six provinces are enrolled in General Medicine, while all seven provinces are represented in the Pharmacy program.

Students from various districts including Bara, Rauthet, Parsa, Sarlahi, Bajhang, Bajura, Dhading, Dolakha, Humla, Kalikot, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Rolpa, Sankhuwasabha, Baitadi, Bardiya, Okhaldhunga, Sindhuli, and Tanahun are currently enrolled.

In the second year, the student body includes 27 from Bagmati, one from Gandaki, 17 from Karnali, 26 from Madhesh, and four from Sudurpashchim. The third year consists of 17 students from various regions. "We provide a homely atmosphere by offering hostel facilities and using organic vegetables grown on campus," Neupane added.

Principal Neupane mentioned that the institute regularly organizes guest lectures, sports weeks, quizzes, debates, Saraswati Puja, picnics, Women's Day, and Holi celebrations to keep students motivated.

Rural Municipality Chairman and Chairman of the College Management Committee, Birbal Tamang, stated that having students from 31 districts is a blessing for Kispang. He believes the institute will be a milestone for the municipality's economic growth and national entrepreneurship, serving as a foundation for tourism development.

Vice-Chairman Arjun Prasad Neupane expressed confidence in the institute's bright future, citing consistent enrollment and positive feedback from students.

Chief Administrative Officer Kedar Prasad Khatiwada noted that in the fiscal year 2081/82, the Ministry of Urban Development allocated Rs 10 million for building construction, followed by an allocation of Rs 30 million for the fiscal year 2082/83. Construction is currently underway on the institute's own land.

He stated that the municipality plans to increase the budget to develop laboratories and other infrastructure to make the institute a model facility. The faculty includes seven full-time teachers, including Dr. Ashish Dahal who studied on a full scholarship at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, along with five staff members and 13 part-time instructors.

The institute is equipped with a well-stocked library, modern computers, and necessary laboratory equipment and chemicals.