Why is an "NOC" required while going abroad for higher education?

 

For a long time now, Nepali students have been heading to developed countries for higher education. There has been a significant rise in the number of Nepali students pursuing higher education abroad. The rising number of students seeking higher education abroad has become a matter of concern for the state. However, the relevant authorities have failed to create an environment conducive for them to pursue their studies within the country.

Specifically, students who have completed their +2 education begin planning to go abroad. Currently, there is a strong inclination among Nepali youth towards foreign education and degrees. Given that their educational qualifications and experience meet the requirements, a large number of youths go abroad after completing their +2 education. Recently, there has been an uptick in students going to Australia for studies. America, Britain, and European countries are also becoming major study destinations.

A mandatory document for a student intending to go abroad for higher education studies is the No Objection Certificate (NOC). This document is imperative for studying abroad. Therefore, students must obtain the "NOC letter" from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology of the Government of Nepal.

There is a provision for students who have received an "Offer Letter" (acceptance letter) for higher education from universities in countries including Britain, America, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, etc to obtain the "NOC letter" from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology.

On one hand, students face various problems when they don't receive the "NOC letter" on time; on the other hand, this document is considered mandatory. Nepali citizens should not pursue higher education abroad without obtaining prior approval (no objection letter) from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology. This provision is outlined in Section 3 (b) of the Scholarships Act, 2021, Section 27 (a) of the Scholarship Rules, 2060, and Section 3 of the Guidelines for Approval of Foreign Studies, 2079.

If a student goes abroad without obtaining an "NOC Letter" from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, the Immigration Department will repatriate them from the airport. The primary purpose of the NOC letter is to facilitate foreign exchange, allowing students to easily pay their fees at the international university they intend to attend. However, the immigration department does not prevent students who have received a full scholarship to study at an international university.

To access this facility, the student must submit satisfactory evidence to the Department of Immigration confirming their full scholarship.