Nepal - Engineering Education Project

 ICRR 10758 Report Number : ICRR10758 ICR Review Operations Evaluation Department 1. Project Data: Date Posted : 08/17/2000 PROJ ID : P010333 Appraisal Actual Project Name : Engineering Education Project Costs 26 27.3 Project US$M ) (US$M) Country : Nepal Loan/ US$M ) 11.4 Loan /Credit (US$M) 11.4 Sector (s): Vocational/Technical Cofinancing 12.5 12.9 Education & Training US$M ) (US$M) L/C Number : C2044 Board Approval 90 FY ) (FY) Partners involved : Swiss Development Closing Date 12/31/1997 12/31/1999 Cooperation, CIDA Prepared by : Reviewed by : Group Manager : Group : 2. Project Objectives and Components a. Objectives (a) expanding the enrollment capacity of Tribhuvan University's Institute of Engineering to train technicians and engineers; (b) raising the quality of engineering education; and (c) improving the Institute of Engineering management. b. Components The project supported: (a) enrollment expansion from 1370 to 1700 students through new programs, construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of facilities; (b) raising the quality of training through staff development, curricular improvements, provision of educational materials, institution of an entrance examination; (c) improving management through strengthening the dean's office, developing a management information system, and establishing maintenance capacity. c. Comments on Project Cost, Financing and Dates The project received extensions totaling two years and disbursed all the credit proceeds . 3. Achievement of Relevant Objectives: The project achieved its stated objectives satisfactorily, and most numerical targets were exceeded . Enrollment targets were exceeded by about 60% to 1572 students in the degree programs . Technician training program enrollments exceeded their targets by 23%. As a spinoff of the project's success, a number of private engineering colleges were established and affiliated with Tribhuvan university . Financially self-sustaining master's degree programs were established in structural, environmental, and water resources engineering as well as in urban planning. The construction of new facilities was completed, and suitable equipment was procured with foreign technical assistance . The institute was able to acquire greater authority over its own financial and curricular affairs. 4. Significant Outcomes/Impacts: The Institute of Engineering now has greater autonomy and is self -reliant in many areas due to increased cost recovery that it persuaded students to accept . Also it has well-trained manpower, and has acquired significant experience in project management . Research capability has increased . Good-quality buildings were built and are properly maintained. Women were encouraged to attend; enrollment increased from 6% to 12% of the student body after a dormitory was built for them. Considerable academic staff training took place . The new graduate-level programs have high market demand . Decentralization rules were implemented, and facilities management units became operational, though they require further support . 5. Significant Shortcomings (including non-compliance with safeguard policies): The project experienced delays in the first half of its life, due to changes in government expectations and inexperience with project management . With extensions, the project completed all its activities . Although enrollment continues to increase, the percentage of students who get promoted during the first two years remains low . A significant number of the staff trained abroad (9 of the 23) did not return to Nepal. Faculty morale still remains low and recruitments are difficult due to the low salaries of the university system . 6. Ratings : ICR OED Review Reason for Disagreement /Comments Outcome : Satisfactory Satisfactory Institutional Dev .: Substantial Substantial Sustainability : Likely Likely Bank Performance : Satisfactory Satisfactory Borrower Perf .: Satisfactory Satisfactory Quality of ICR : Satisfactory NOTE: NOTE ICR rating values flagged with ' * ' don't comply with OP/BP 13.55, but are listed for completeness. 7. Lessons of Broad Applicability: - High borrower commitment and ownership supports implementation even in countries whose projects often have unsatisfactory outcomes. - Decentralization of managerial functions at the institution level and autonomy to manage school inputs and outcomes are important incentives to administrators and staff, which may facilitate project implementation . - Substantial cost recovery in a difficult environment demonstrates that such a reform is possible when there is a strong leadership, willingness to engage in serious negotiations with students and politicians, and good support from senior management. - It is important to assess the extent of sustainable in -house capacity to undertake procurement and availability of local technical assistance before insisting on foreign consultants or procurement agencies . 8. Assessment Recommended? Yes No Why? The project is unusually successful in a difficulty environment . One partner (Swiss Development Cooperation) suggested that an evaluation be undertaken . 9. Comments on Quality of ICR: The ICR is comprehensive and provides a clear picture of project events .