Nepal, June 16 -- Nepal stands at a pivotal moment. The recent budget announcement allowing students to work up to 20 hours a week, set to be implemented from the upcoming fiscal year, marks a bold step towards harnessing the nation's most valuable asset: its youth. This forward-thinking policy holds immense potential to not only empower young individuals but also to invigorate the national economy and curb the alarming trend of brain drain.

For too long, Nepali youth have faced a dilemma: pursue higher education with limited opportunities to gain practical experience or seek opportunities abroad in search of better prospects.

The new 20-hour work policy offers a compelling third path, creating a symbiotic relationship between academic...