National Digital Learning Access (NDLA) Initiative

The National Digital Learning Access (NDLC) is a government-supported program that provides students enrolling in UGC-registered universities with a preloaded digital learning credit. This credit allows students to access:

1. Professional courses (mandatory and optional)

2. Google or Microsoft Workspace / cloud tools for collaboration, storage, and deployment

3. Licensed research tools for academic purposes

4. Commercial and creative tools based on student interest

The program leverages digital payments and bank-issued Digital Learning Cards to overcome existing barriers like limited access to dollar cards, ensuring seamless, transparent, and trackable usage.

 Objectives

• Upskill Nepalese students in high-demand professional and digital skills

• Promote knowledge and digital economy in Nepal

• Provide flexible, self-directed learning opportunities for students across disciplines

• Ensure equitable access to globally relevant courses and tools

• Create a scalable framework for future digital university initiatives under the Digital Nepal framework

• Enhance government monitoring of skill acquisition and employability outcomes

Rationale

1. Rapidly changing skill landscape: Professional and technical skills have shorter lifespans; frequent upskilling is required.

2. Limited access to paid digital learning platforms: Most Nepali students cannot pay using international cards; the Digital Learning Card addresses this.

3. Cost efficiency through bulk procurement: Government can negotiate lower prices for courses, Google Workspace, and tools.

4. Flexibility for students: Students choose courses, research tools, and commercial tools according to their interest and field.

5. Monitoring & impact tracking: Government can track course completion, tool usage, and link outcomes to employability, startups, and freelance opportunities.

Key Features

Financial Analysis

Cost per Student

Aggregate Government Obligation

• Annual new student batch: around 150,000 

• Government subsidy per student: $150 (professional courses) + $30 (Workspace) = $180

Annual Government Obligation:

• 150,000 × $180 = $27,000,000

5-Year Exposure (all 5 active cohorts):

• 5 × $27,000,000 = $135,000,000

Comparison with Nepal’s Education Budget

• Total Education Budget FY 2025/26: $1.54 billion (~NPR 211 billion)

• NDLC annual subsidy: $27 million (~1.75% of the education budget)

The financial commitment seems feasible when compared to the overall education budget, and adjustments or trade-offs can be made to further ease the burden.

Potential Cost Optimization

• Reduce redundant / unnecessary in-college courses → redirect saved funds to NDLC

• Bulk negotiation with platforms → lower per-student cost for professional courses, Google Workspace, research and commercial tools

• Local course creation → reduce reliance on international platforms; cost amortized over multiple cohorts

Implementation & Scaling

Enrollment & Credit Flow

1. Student enrolls in UGC-registered university

2. Pays $100 upfront via Digital Learning Card or online portal

3. Government adds $100 subsidy, total $200 loaded into student account

4. UGC creates Digital Learning Account and emails credentials

5. Students access professional courses, Google / Microsoft Workspace, research and commercial tools

6. Mandatory completion of 3 professional courses over 5 years

7. Optional courses and tool purchases using remaining credit

Monitoring & Evaluation

• UGC Digital Learning Platform tracks:

  • Course completion (mandatory and optional)

  • Tool usage (research and commercial)

  • Skill acquisition metrics (employability, startups, freelance activity)

• Data informs:

  • Budget allocation for future cohorts

  • Expansion of digital learning offerings

  • Identification of high-impact courses/tools

Pilot Program Approach

• Begin with specific universities or disciplines (IT, Engineering, Business)

• Monitor usage, completion rates, and student satisfaction

• Use results to scale nationwide

• Flexible model allows student-driven allocation of credits for research/commercial tools

Benefits & Strategic Impact

For Students:

• Access to mandatory and optional professional courses

• Flexibility to choose research/commercial tools aligned with interests

• $100 student contribution provides high perceived value

For Government:

• Transparent tracking of student learning and outcomes

• Supports knowledge economy and IT sector growth

• Scalable foundation for Digital University of Nepal under Digital Nepal framework

• Encourages equity in access, even for students without international payment options.

This pilot approach allows the government to test, refine, and scale the system over time, potentially extending to master’s programs or workforce upskilling initiatives with appropriate tradeoffs. For a country like ours, it is an investment in the knowledge economy, which is essential for long-term growth and competitiveness.