गाउँको दूरदराजदेखि काठमाडौंको सिंहदरबारसम्म

Kathmandu: MetLife Nepal’s partnership with Tribhuvan University to launch an actuarial scholarship program has been welcomed as a positive step, but it has also raised questions about whether the initiative is sufficient to address Nepal’s growing shortage of actuarial professionals.

Under the program, only two students will receive scholarships each year for the duration of their four-year undergraduate studies. While the initiative supports deserving students, industry observers say the scale of the program is unlikely to significantly reduce the country’s shortage of qualified actuaries.

Nepal’s insurance sector continues to face broader challenges, including limited actuarial capacity, a shortage of skilled professionals, and increasing demand for sophisticated risk management. Experts argue that scholarships alone cannot solve these structural issues without broader investments in education, professional training, and employment opportunities.

The announcement has also sparked discussion over whether such initiatives represent a long-term commitment to strengthening the industry’s talent pipeline or primarily serve as corporate social responsibility and brand-building efforts.

Despite these questions, the collaboration marks a step toward strengthening links between academia and the insurance industry, although its long-term impact will depend on sustained investment and expansion of similar programs.