Seminar Aims to Engage Youth in Nepal’s Economic Development

Karyne Martins Araujo | Contributing Writer

In recent years, Nepalese society has experienced a significant transformation with progressive growth in the younger generation opting to pursue their education abroad instead of attending Nepalese Universities. 

There is a prevalent perception that many of these students have no intention of returning to Nepal to contribute to the workforce.

To address this issue and engage students in understanding the economic development and challenges faced by Nepal, Nepal’s development seminar was directed in the Nepalese home language.

During the seminar held on Mar 15, the Nepalese Student Association at FIU welcomed Professor Niraj Poudyal, Ph.D., to shed light on the developmental progress in Nepal. Professor Poudyal highlighted a significant achievement in the infrastructure expansion of roads from 6,000 to 60,000 km over the past five years, a remarkable execution considering Nepal’s geographical challenges.

In addition, Poudyal discussed how certain upper-class narratives misrepresent the true reality of Nepal’s development trajectory. Since Nepal is a developing country, he acknowledged that progress may be slow but nevertheless underway. 

Aasma Dahal, President of the Nepalese Student Association at FIU, recognizes that most of the youth generation consume news through social media, and seminars like this offer the opportunity to get in touch with a deeper understanding of the country’s development. 

“Has been about two or three years since many of us have been outside the country, it is crucial to stay updated on Nepal’s economic growth,” Dahal said.

Poudyal also stated the impact of colonization on the gradual pace of development.

“Some countries experienced some growth starting in 1850. Some others started later in the 1900s. India and Nepal started a political journey in the 1990s, we are very new to doing this and we are not that bad.”

“When compared to other countries such as Pakistan or India where the GDP per capita is around $2,000, Nepal’s GDP per capita is $1,500 which is not much difference especially when considering the average lifestyle,” Poudyal said when discussing the lifestyle in Nepal.

“Even the impoverished segments of society have experienced improvements in their quality of life. I mean It is not heaven, but we are progressing.”

To handle these issues, he also explains working together for more development.

“There may not be an immediate solution at hand, but we can work towards alleviating economic challenges and mitigating their impact over time. This involves fostering greater economic stability while simultaneously cultivating positive narratives around development.”