Many scholars believe that entrepreneurship is a key driver of economy because wealth and a high majority of jobs are created by small businesses started by entrepreneurially-minded individuals many of whom go on to creates big businesses. Also, entrepreneurship is seen to reflect that citizens have more opportunities to exercise creative freedoms, higher self-esteem, and an overall greater sense of control over their own lives.

This was the essence of the In-Country Program on Entrepreneurship Development held from February 10 to 14, 2014 at the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) Kathmandu, Nepal. The program in collaboration with the Government of Nepal, was attended by 21 TVET administrators, faculty and staff from all over Nepal. The program was under the helm of the CPSC Director General, Dr. Mohammad Naim Yaakub and was coordinated by Dr. Suresh Kumar Dhameja, former CPSC Faculty, currently Professor and Head of the Entrepreneurship Development and Industrial Coordination (EDIC) at the Department of National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR), Chandigarh, Republic of India. The program was locally organized by CTEVT led by Mr. Pushpa Raman Wagle and Mr. Upendra Pokharel.

The In-Country program aimed to encourage participants’ appreciation of the relevance of entrepreneurship education in TVET; and provide knowledge about new strategies for entrepreneurship promotion and process of entrepreneurship. Specifically, they were expected to be able to:

  • a) understand application of Blue Ocean Strategy for entrepreneurship promotion in TVET;
  • b) identify the potential entrepreneurs from amongst TVET students;
  • c) have expertise on instilling high achievement motive amongst the TVET students;
  • d) have knowledge of expectations of entrepreneurs from TVET system; and
  • e) prepare an action plan for intensifying results based entrepreneurship education in TVET

The program included a special lecture on the Skills Development in South Asia: Trends in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan delivered by Dr. Naim. Other topics such as relevance of entrepreneurship education in the present times; identification of potential entrepreneurs, entrepreneurial motivation and training and tasks on business plan preparation were also tackled during the program.

Embedded within the 5-day activity was a National Seminar on “Strengthening Entrepreneurship Education in TVET Sector of Nepal”. Several CTEVT officials from the Ministry of Education of Nepal delivered their presentations on encouraging entrepreneurship education in the country. A total of 72 officials from CTEVT and TVET schools in the country participated in the event.

Speakers of the seminar comprised of: Dr. Ramhari Lamichhane, Member Secretary of CTEVT, who delivered a presentation titled “Entrepreneurship Education in TVET of Nepal: Current Status and Future Recommendations”; Dr. Hari Lamsal from the Ministry of Education who provided an overview on the industrial policy of Nepal and its entrepreneurial implications to the TVET Graduates; Dr. Dhameja who discussed emerging global trends focusing on the social, women and rural entrepreneurship; and Dr. Hemant Dabadi, Director General of the FNNCI who emphasized on the expectations of entrepreneurs from TVET institutions for promoting entrepreneurship in his presentation.

The program was well-received by the participants with an overall rating of 97.28%.


Dr. Mohammad Naim Yaakub, CPSC Director General (2nd fr. L), Dr. SK Dhameja, Program Coordinator (rightmost) with guests and the program participants in one of the sessions.


Dr. Mohammad Naim Yaakub, CPSC Director General (left photo, standing), delivers his presentation while the program participants (right photo) listen attentively.