Minister Khanal calls for turning student migration into knowledge exchange

April 28, Kathmandu: Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal today said Nepal must transform student migration into a “circular flow of knowledge,” stressing that the country is not losing its youth but redistributing talent globally for broader national benefit.

Speaking at a seminar organised by the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) on “Student Migration: Policy, Aspiration, and Global Mobility,” the Minister highlighted the expanding role of Nepali students abroad in shaping global knowledge systems while also contributing to Nepal’s long-term development.

He called for the establishment of a diaspora knowledge network to map the skills and expertise of Nepali students overseas and link their global experience with national development priorities.

The Minister further noted Nepal’s comparative strengths in areas such as climate science, information technology, and ancient knowledge systems, saying these sectors could help build world-class institutions aligned with the aspirations of the country’s youth.

The programme brought together government officials, migration experts, researchers, and young diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.