गाउँको दूरदराजदेखि काठमाडौंको सिंहदरबारसम्म

Kathmandu: Mid Valley International College and Galaxy Public School are preparing to send 11 students to Nanchang, China, for an international cultural exchange programme organized in collaboration with East China University of Technology (ECUT).

The programme, scheduled from October 25 to November 4, 2026, has been promoted as an opportunity for students to gain international exposure, cultural knowledge and global perspectives. However, questions remain over the programme’s financial transparency, student selection process and actual academic outcomes.

During an official visit to Nepal, ECUT Deputy Dean of the International School Mr. Zhou Ling and Section Head of the International Cooperation and Exchange Office Mr. Fan Zhenquan met with participating students, college officials and faculty members.

According to the college, the programme will include Chinese language and cultural workshops, visits to historical sites and museums, traditional arts activities, trips to Jingdezhen and Wuyuan, and participation in ECUT’s International Cultural Festival.

While such activities may provide students with valuable exposure, the institutions have not publicly provided detailed information regarding the total cost of the programme, funding arrangements, fees paid by students or parents, and other expenses associated with the trip.

Questions have also been raised regarding how the 11 students were selected and what specific academic criteria were used to determine participation. For parents and students, transparency regarding travel costs, accommodation, insurance, safety arrangements and other financial obligations would be important before participating in an overseas programme.

Another key concern is whether the programme will deliver measurable educational benefits beyond tourism and cultural exposure. International travel alone does not necessarily constitute meaningful international education unless students are provided with structured learning objectives, academic interaction and opportunities to apply what they learn after returning home.

Mid Valley International College has described the initiative as part of its commitment to international exposure and experiential learning. The partnership with ECUT is also presented as a way of strengthening educational ties between Nepal and China.

However, the success of such a programme should ultimately be measured not only by photographs, visits and participation certificates, but also by what students actually learn, how much is spent, how transparently the programme is managed, and what long-term academic value it creates.

The participating institutions could therefore strengthen public confidence by making the programme’s selection criteria, financial structure, student safety arrangements and expected learning outcomes transparent to students and parents.

Without such information, questions are likely to remain over whether the initiative represents a genuine academic exchange programme or primarily an overseas cultural tour promoted under the banner of international education.