The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Nurturing Excellence in Higher Education Program for Results (P171516) Nurturing Excellence in Higher Education Program for Results (P171516) SOUTH ASIA | Nepal | Education Global Practice | Requesting Unit: SACSN | Responsible Unit: HSAED IBRD/IDA | Program-for-Results Financing | FY 2021 | Team Leader(s): Mohan Prasad Aryal, Shiro Nakata, Tazeen Fasih Seq No: 2 | ARCHIVED on 22-Dec-2021 | ISR48904 | Created by: Mohan Prasad Aryal on 28-Oct-2021 | Modified by: Mohan Prasad Aryal on 21- Dec-2021 Program Development Objectives PDO Table Program Development Objective (from Program Appraisal Document) The Program Development Objectives are to strengthen labor market relevance and quality of higher education, boost collaborative research and innovation, and enhance equitable access for underprivileged and disaster affected groups. Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Satisfactory Satisfactory Implementation Status and Key Decisions The NEHEP Program strategically supports a sub-set of the Government National Higher Education Program (NHEP) of US$1.15 billion for six years including the base year (2021). The amount also includes US$60 million IDA Credit. The IDA Credit has two components: Component 1 (US$ 57 million) uses the Program for Results approach and Component 2 (US$3 million) applies the Investment Project Financing (IPF). The PforR boundary is US$603.04 million, which will be financed by the Government financing of US$543.04 million and IDA Credit of US$60 million. The PforR supports through results-based financing (Disbursement Linked Indicators - DLIs) under four Results Areas clustered around six DLIs and 17 Disbursement Linked Results. The program also covers cross-cutting issues particularly, gender, climate change, and citizen engagement. The program targets on these cross- cutting issues are in-built with the results indicators (PDO indicators, intermediate results indicators, and disbursement linked indicators). A program action plan (PAP) has been prepared to facilitate the implementation. The PAP includes key activities/actions agreed with the Government to achieve Program objectives and results. The PAP also includes actions to address the issues of gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA)/sexual harassments (SH), and violence against women (VAW). The IPF component supports program management and M&E activities and provides key capacity building of the higher education stakeholders. The UGC is finalizing of the two first year DLRs mapped to Result Area 1. These include standards, operational policies and guidelines for (i) faculty competency development and academic leadership sensitization (DLR 1.1), and (ii) collaborative research and entrepreneurship programs (DLR 2.1). While the QAA Guideline as a living document is in place, the UGC is also working towards finalization of guidelines/ framework for Quality Enhancement which will be implemented by the selected accredited HEIs. The revised draft of the standards, operational policies and guidelines (SOPG) for higher education digitization, connectivity, and implementation procedure that UGC has prepared is also under finalization. The first implementation review, support consultation discussed the importance for the SAR countries to exploit the benefits of regional cooperation in higher education. It was recognized that the functional Committee of the Heads of the UGC/equivalent bodies in SAR, and the Governing body of the South Asian University could be the possible platforms to initiate the collaboration. The Nepal UGC Chairperson, also the Chair of both of the existing platforms, has agreed to work towards the “Kathmandu Process” in fostering regional collaboration in association with the World Bank. The consultation agreed to organize a UGC (Nepal) - World Bank joint regional workshop in the second half of February 2022. 12/22/2021 Page 1 of 14 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Nurturing Excellence in Higher Education Program for Results (P171516) Citizen Engagement. UGC has developed Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) to ensure involvement of key stakeholders and beneficiaries. During the program preparation five deep dive stakeholder consultations were carried out in five thematic areas of the Program. The findings from the deep dives are captured in the SEP. After the effectiveness, a half-day program launching event was organized jointly by the MOEST, the UGC and the World Bank where a wide range of stakeholders from the government agencies, universities and academia, business community, students and media presented their views and covered some of the best practices of the World Bank-Nepal partnership in higher education. The key features of the launching were also covered in a joint press release. The Program includes the provision for conducting three Beneficiary Satisfaction Surveys during the Program period: baseline in Year 1, mid-line survey in Year 3 and end-line survey in Year 5. Preparation for the baseline survey is in progress. Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P171516 IDA-68840 Effective USD 60.00 60.00 0.00 0.00 59.03 0% Key Dates (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P171516 IDA-68840 Effective 11-Jun-2021 19-Aug-2021 16-Sep-2021 15-Jul-2026 15-Jul-2026 Program Action Plan 1.Develop and improve accounting policies, internal control guidelines, improved financial administration rules, Action Description updated audit arrears, internal audit, FMIS (b) Hire FM consultant/ Procurement staffs Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status Fiduciary Systems UGC/ TU Due Date 20-Sep-2021 In Progress (a) Both the UGC, TU shall share these documents; Completion Measurement (b) An FM Consultant hired at the UGC Secretariat; (c) Procurement staff hired at UGC and TU and retained Draft documents on accounting policies and others as noted in the PAP are under preparation and will be shared with Comments the Bank. Hiring of FM consultant is nearly completed and the successful candidate is expected to join by December 2021. Action Description 2. Use e-GP for procurement and upload approved annual procurement plan in the websites Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status Fiduciary Systems UGC, TU Recurrent Yearly In Progress Completion Measurement e-GP implemented and procurement plan uploaded in the UGC and respective HEIs websites 12/22/2021 Page 2 of 14 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Nurturing Excellence in Higher Education Program for Results (P171516) While the Component 2 (Project) related procurement plan including its updated version are being published and Comments updated in the STEP, the procurement activities of Component 2 (Program) are yet to be initiated. 3. (a) Establish a dedicated unit/sub-unit at UGC; (b) develop strategy for strengthening capacity of beneficiary Action Description institutions for mainstreaming E&S aspects Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status Environmental and Social UGC Due Date 20-Sep-2021 Completed Systems a) The unit/ subunit will include two specialists (E&S) and adequate budget; (b UGC shares the strategy; and Completion Measurement maintains the the above throughout Program implementation A unit/ sub-unit has been established at the UGC with two specialist and one coordinator. The UGC has prepared the Comments draft strategy. Action Description 4. Prepare/ approve/ publish Guidelines for universities QAA Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status Technical DLI 3 UGC Due Date 20-Sep-2021 In Progress Completion Measurement UGC prepares the universities QAA Guidelines Comments A team of experts is working on the document to finalize Action Description 5. Upgrade/ strengthen UGC networking for online system support Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status Technical DLI 6 UGC Due Date 16-Aug-2021 In Progress Completion Measurement A Video Conferencing system and Learning Portal is functional at UGC Learning Portal is functional at UGC. An ICT technical team at UGC is working to prepare relevant materials to Comments upload in the Portal. Action Description 6. Hire an independent DLI Verification Agency Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status Technical UGC Due Date 20-Sep-2021 In Progress Completion Measurement UGC hires the IVA as per the agreed TOR The Terms of Reference for the IVA approved, three potential candidate agencies identified. The UGC is negotiating Comments to hire one of them Action Description 7. Develop/ implement a guideline / framework for managing E&S risks in HE program 12/22/2021 Page 3 of 14 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Nurturing Excellence in Higher Education Program for Results (P171516) Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status Environmental and Social UGC Due Date 30-Sep-2022 In Progress Systems Completion Measurement UGC-wide guideline/ framework developed and approved Comments The E&S unit/ sub-unit with 2 experts and one coordinator have been working to finalize the document. Action Description 8. Prepare capacity building plan (CBP) of UGC with budget allocation Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status Technical UGC Due Date 30-Sep-2021 In Progress Completion Measurement UGC prepares/ updates the CBP in the AWPB annually starting FY 2021/ 22 Comments UGC team is working in preparation of the plan 9. Prepare various guidelines for the NEHEP Operations Action Description Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status Technical UGC Due Date 30-Sep-2021 In Progress Completion Measurement Guidelines: PBG, Digital Development; PMT based support; Equity Grants to HEIs Comments Various technical teams at UGC are working in preparation of the guidelines Action Description 10. Upgrade and Implement Web-based EMIS software Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status Technical DLI 6 UGC Due Date 31-Dec-2021 In Progress Completion Measurement Web-based EMIS operational at UGC The UGC ICT technical team along with the EMIS and Monitoring units are working in strengthening the EMIS system Comments with additional modules such as research, accreditation, scholarship and so on and in making the UGC EMIS system fully online. Action Description 11. Prepare/ publish a framework/ guidelines of QE Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status Technical DLI 3 UGC Due Date 31-Dec-2021 In Progress Completion Measurement UGC prepares the list and implementation framework/ guidelines of QE activities and implementation arrangement 12/22/2021 Page 4 of 14 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Nurturing Excellence in Higher Education Program for Results (P171516) The UGC Quality Assurance and Accreditation Division along with the Bank technical support is working in the Comments preparation of the higher education institutions Quality Enhance framework/guidelines. Action Description 12. Develop and implement programs to address grievance redressal mechanism (GRM) and SEA/SH risk mitigation Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status Environmental and Social UGC Due Date 31-Dec-2021 In Progress Systems UGC develops/ shares: sensitization/ awareness programs, code of conducts for UGC/ HEIs, GRM, and SEA/ SH risk Completion Measurement mitigation measures, and prepares implementation progress every June/ December thereafter The UGC safeguard unit/ sub-unit with the support of technical experts (environmental and social safeguard Comments specialists) are working in developing and implementing the program to address grievance redressal mechanism (GRM) and SEA/SH risk mitigation. Action Description 13. Conduct stakeholder consultation (SC) and feedback activities on key reforms Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status June and December Technical UGC Other Not Yet Due every year SC with policy makers, academics, employers and students. UGCV publishes SC report semi-annually review Completion Measurement meetings (SARM) The UGC will carry out the consultations as per the Stakeholder Engagement Plan UGC has developed and Comments approved by the World Bank. Action Description 14. Revise and implement the UGC M&E plan annually Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status June and December Technical UGC Other Not Yet Due every year Completion Measurement UGC prepares M&E flash report in SARM and a consolidated M&E report annually Comments The UGC M&E section has been working on this front as a regular activity. Action Description 15. Prepare the NHEP climate resilient framework (CRF) Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status Technical UGC Due Date 31-Mar-2022 Not Yet Due Completion Measurement The CRF with with implementation arrangement in place Comments 12/22/2021 Page 5 of 14 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Nurturing Excellence in Higher Education Program for Results (P171516) Action Description 16. Complete fiduciary reviews in FYs 2022, 2024 and 2026 Source DLI# Responsibility Timing Timing Value Status December 2022, 2024 Fiduciary Systems UGC/ TU Other Not Yet Due and July 2026 Completion Measurement UGC shares the Report Comments The UGC FM consultant-expert will take this responsibility soon after they are hired. The hiring process is in progress. Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Political and Governance High High High Macroeconomic Substantial Substantial Substantial Sector Strategies and Policies Moderate Moderate Moderate Technical Design of Project or Program Moderate Moderate Moderate Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Moderate Moderate Moderate Sustainability Fiduciary Substantial Substantial Substantial Environment and Social Moderate Moderate Moderate Stakeholders Moderate Moderate Moderate Other Moderate Moderate Moderate Overall Substantial Substantial Substantial RiskComments Comments Political and Governance risks are rated as High. Nepal’s political situation continues to remain fluid amid periodic elections scheduled for late 2022 and a rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation. The provincial governments could be affected by ramifications at the center, although these do not pose an immediate threat to the overall federalism implementation process. The risks of political uncertainty, jurisdictional overlap between the three tiers of government, and lack of clarity and coherence between policies and devolved powers remain during the interim and in the coming few years. Absence of the Federal Education Acts including in higher education has further compounded the risk. The mitigation measures include the World Bank’s sustained dialogue at all levels of government and the continued support to strengthen the federal institutions through the Program. Macroeconomic risks are Substantial. A slower than expected vaccine rollout or a new COVID-19 variant reducing vaccine effectiveness could derail the nascent economic recovery. Financial risks could increase as borrowers face repayment difficulties, which could be triggered by a slowdown in remittance growth. These factors combined with recurring climate-related natural disasters are likely to result in increased risks to government finances. The mitigation measures include the World Bank’s trusted partnership with the Government in different programs and projects in association with other Development Partners. Fiduciary risk is retained Substantial. The procurement and financial management capacity gaps as identified in the Fiduciary Systems Assessment persists. The actions agreed in the Program Action Plan to mitigate the gaps, especially in finalizing and approval of the NEPSAS- based accounting policies, internal control guidelines, financial administration rules are in progress, but yet to be completed. The Bank team is closely monitoring the progress to finalize the document and its implementation. The overall Program risk for achieving the PDOs is retained as Substantial. 12/22/2021 Page 6 of 14 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Nurturing Excellence in Higher Education Program for Results (P171516) Results PDO Indicators by Objectives / Outcomes Outcome 1: To strengthen labor market relevance and quality of higher education IN01059129 ►1. Number of labor-market relevant programs introduced in consultation with employers and industries (cumulative) (Number) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 Number of LMRPs introduced in HEIs (cumulative): 5, 25, 70, 90 and 100 programs in Year 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Comments respectively as per the LMRP Guidelines IN01059152 ►2. Number of students completed first year in labor market relevant programs (LMRP) (cumulative) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 13,500.00 Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 Number of students completing first year of the Bachelor and or Master levels: 90; 450; 3,600; 9,000; and Comments 13,500 (cumulative) in year 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively as per the LMRP operational guidelines IN01059155 Average % female (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 IN01059156 ►3. Number of HEIs/ Programs Accredited / completed peer review for quality assurance and accreditation (QAA) (cumulative) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 77.00 77.00 83.00 297.00 Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 Number of HEIs/ Programs accredited/ completed peer review of QAA (cumulation: 130, 170, 210, 240 and Comments 297 in year 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively as per the QAA Manual Outcome 2: To boost collaborative research and innovation IN01059130 ►4. Number of collaborative research projects awarded (cumulative) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 20.00 12/22/2021 Page 7 of 14 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Nurturing Excellence in Higher Education Program for Results (P171516) Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 Number of awarded collaborative research projects: 8; 18; 20; and 20 projects in Year 2, 3, 4 and 5 Comments respectively as per the Guidelines with 20% climate adaptation/mitigation. Outcome 3: To enhance equitable access for underprivileged and disaster affected groups IN01059151 ►5. Number of higher education students supported from bottom quintiles (Cumulative) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 20,000.00 Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 Number of HE students supported from bottom quintiles using poverty targeted or similar schemes (cumulative): 5,000; 10,000; 15,000; 20,000 and 20,000 students in year 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively (Male Comments up to two and female up to three poorest quintiles) as per guidelines IN01059153 % female (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 50.00 IN01059154 ►6. Share of students registered in online/blended learning (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 20.00 20.00 20.00 50.00 Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 Percentage of HE students attending the online/ blended learning: 25, 30, 35, 40 and 50 in Year 1, 2, 3, 4 Comments and 5 respectively) as per the guidelines IN01059157 % female of the total (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 45.00 45.00 45.00 45.00 Intermediate Results Indicators by Results Areas Results Area 1 - Improved Labor-market relevance, Entrepreneurship, and Collaborative Research IN01059158 ►1. Number of HEIs which have published graduate tracking reports (cumulative) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 200.00 Date 15-Jul-2021 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 Number of HEIs which have published their graduate tracking reports on their website periodically (no Comments double counting): 10, 50, 140, 180 and 200 HEIs in Year 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively 12/22/2021 Page 8 of 14 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Nurturing Excellence in Higher Education Program for Results (P171516) IN01059163 ►2. Number of students enrolled in labor market relevant programs (cumulative) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 15,000.00 Date 15-Jul-2021 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 Number of students enrolled in the LMRP (cumulative): 100; 500; 4,000; 10,000 and 15,000 in Year 1; 2; 3; Comments 4 and 5 respectively as per the Guidelines IN01059168 ►3. Share of female enrollment in STEM programs (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 8.00 8.00 8.00 14.00 Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 Percentage of female from the total students enrolled in STEM (cumulative): 9, 10, 12, 14 and 14 in Year 1, Comments 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively IN01059171 ►4. Number of faculty members trained and academic leaders sensitized (cumulative) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,600.00 Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 Number of faculties trained and academic leaders sensitized (cumulative): 230; 380; 1,000; 1,550; 1,600 in Comments Year 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively as per the Guidelines IN01059173 4.a. Number of faculty members trained, including all the eligible female faculty members (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,400.00 Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 IN01059174 4.b. Number of academic leaders sensitized, including all the eligible female academic leaders (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 200.00 Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 IN01059175 ►5. Number of students/graduates participated in entrepreneurship training (cumulative) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 500.00 Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 12/22/2021 Page 9 of 14 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Nurturing Excellence in Higher Education Program for Results (P171516) Number of participation in entrepreneurship training (cumulative): 300, 500, 500, 500 in year 2, 3, 4 and 5 Comments respectively as per Manual IN01059176 % female (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 IN01059177 ►6. Number of trained entrepreneurs received seed fund (cumulative) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 50.00 Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 Number of competitively selected entrepreneurs among the trained ones supported with seed fund Comments (cumulative): 15, 30, 50 and 50 in Year 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively as per Manual IN01059178 ►7. Number of Publications in refereed journals (cumulative) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 120.00 Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 Number of publications in refereed journals with impact factors as defined in the Research Guidelines Comments (cumulative): 10, 30, 50, 80 and 120 in Year 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively Results Area 2 - Strengthening Governance and Financing of Higher Education for Quality Enhancement IN01059159 ►8. Number of HEIs reconstituted as Deemed Universities (cumulative) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.00 Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 Number of HEIs transformed into Deemed universities: 2, 3, 4 and 5 in Year 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively as Comments per their Acts/ Regulations IN01059164 ►9. Number of universities completed peer review for QAA (cumulative) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.00 Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 Universities completed QAA peer review: 2, 3, 4 and 5 universities in Year 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively as per Comments QAA Guidelines IN01059169 12/22/2021 Page 10 of 14 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Nurturing Excellence in Higher Education Program for Results (P171516) ►10. Number of accredited HEIs undertook QE activities (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 50.00 Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 Accredited HEIs undertook at least three QE activities including one in climate response as per QE Comments Guidelines (cumulative, no double counting): 20, 30, 40 and 50 HEIs in Year 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively IN01059172 ►11. Number of HEIs received Performance Based Grants (PBG) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 400.00 Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 HEIs receive PBG as per the Guideline (cumulative, double counting): 50, 150, 250, 350 and 400 in year 1, Comments 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively Results Area 3 - Widening Access to Quality Higher Education for Disadvantaged Students IN01059161 ►12. Improved Student GER disaggregated by gender in Lagging Provinces (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Province 2: Total (T) - Province 2: Total (T) - Province 2: Total (T) - Province 2: T-12.00%; 4.75%, Female (F) - 4.75%, Female (F) - 4.75%, Female (F) - F-12.00%; Karnali: T- 4.05%; Karnali: T -8.84%; 4.05%; Karnali: T - 4.05%; Karnali: T - Value 14.00%; F-14.00% ; F- 7.04% 8.84%; F- 7.04% 8.84%; F- 7.04% Sudurpaschim: T- Sudurpaschim:T- 9.38%; Sudurpaschim:T- 9.38%; Sudurpaschim:T- 15.00%; F-15.00% F- 9.83% F- 9.83% 9.38%; F- 9.83% Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 GER (%) disaggregated by gender in lagging provinces increased: P2 (Total-T/ Female-F): 5, 7, 8, 10, 12); Karnali (T/ F): 9, 10, 11, 13, 14); Sudurpaschim (T/ F): 10, 11, 12, 14, 15) in year 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Comments respectively IN01059166 ►13. Number of HEIs supported with equity grants in lagging and/or disaster affected provinces/ remote regions (cumulative) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 HEIs supported with equity grants as per Manual: 15, 50, 75, 100, 100 in Year 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively Comments (no double counting) Results Area 4 – Extending Digitization of Higher Education IN01059160 ►14. Share of HEIs participating in online data feeding (cumulative) (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target 12/22/2021 Page 11 of 14 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Nurturing Excellence in Higher Education Program for Results (P171516) Value 25.00 25.00 25.00 70.00 Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 Percentage of HEIs feeding online data for UGC EMIS from total HEIs of the year (no double counting):30, Comments 40, 50, 60, 70 in year 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. IN01059165 ►15. Number of universities passing Rule for blended mode of course delivery and final examination (cumulative) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 8.00 Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 Universities pass the Rule of blended mode of course delivery and examination: 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 universities in Comments Year 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively as per the standards and policies of HE digitization Program Management and M&E IN01059162 ►16. Conduction of Beneficiary Satisfaction Survey (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target End-line survey Value Not Applicable Preparation in progress Preparation in progress conducted Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 Comments BSS in Year 1, Year 3 and Year 5 conducted IN01059167 ►Students benefiting from direct interventions to enhance learning (Number, Corporate) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 500,000.00 Date 31-Dec-2020 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 15-Jul-2026 Comments IN01059170 Students benefiting from direct interventions to enhance learning - Female (Number, Corporate Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 250,000.00 Disbursement Linked Indicators DLI_IND_TABLE ►DLI 1 DLI 1: Labor market-driven autonomous programs, faculty members' training and academic leaders' sensitization (Process, 11,000,000.00, 0%) July 16, 2025 - July Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) 15, 2026 12/22/2021 Page 12 of 14 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Nurturing Excellence in Higher Education Program for Results (P171516) Standards, operational policies and guidelines for faculty competency Value Preparation in progress Preparation in progress -- development and academic leadership sensitization have not been prepared Date -- 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 -- A UGC formed technical team has been working to prepare the document Comments ►DLI 2 DLI 2: Collaborative research and entrepreneurship program (Output, 10,000,000.00, 0%) July 16, 2025 - July Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) 15, 2026 No standards, and operational policies and Preparation is in Value guidelines for collaborative Preparation is in progress -- progress research and entrepreneurship programs Date -- 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 -- The UGC Research Division has been working to finalize the document. Comments ►DLI 3 DLI 3: Quality Assurance and Accreditation (QAA) and Quality Enhancement (QE) (Output, 10,000,000.00, 0%) July 16, 2025 - July Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) 15, 2026 DLR 3.4: Additional 220 HEIs/ Program Accredited / completed peer review for quality 77 HEIs/ Programs assurance and Value accredited/ completed peer 77.00 83.00 accreditation review for accreditation (cumulative 297) (Average share of accredited HEIs/ Programs to be 50% or above) Date -- 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 -- Peer reviews of additional institutions are in progress and will be finalized close to the program effectiveness. Comments ►DLI 4 DLI 4: Performance Based Grants (PBG) (Output, 10,000,000.00, 0%) July 16, 2025 - July Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) 15, 2026 No standards, operational Preparation is in Value policies and guidelines for Preparation is in progress -- progress performance grants Date -- 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 -- Comments The UGC has formed a technical team to prepare the draft document. 12/22/2021 Page 13 of 14 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Nurturing Excellence in Higher Education Program for Results (P171516) ►DLI 5 DLI 5: Enrollment of disadvantaged students in lagging and/ or disaster affected provinces and regions (Output, 10,000,000.00, 0%) July 16, 2025 - July Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) 15, 2026 DLR 5.2: Additional 20,000 higher 7,443 students supported in 7,443 students supported 7,443 students supported education students Value HERP in HERP in HERP supported from bottom quintiles (Cumulative) Date -- 31-Aug-2021 31-Aug-2021 -- Revised poverty targeted guideline is in finalization to implement the approach in the federal set up. Comments ►DLI 6 DLI 6: Online teaching, learning and digitized administration (Process, 6,000,000.00, 0%) July 16, 2025 - July Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) 15, 2026 No standards and Draft document Revised draft document operational policies for prepared. A UGC formed prepared. A UGC formed Higher education technical team is Value technical team is finalizing -- digitization, connectivity, finalizing the document the document for UGC and implementation for UGC final review and final review and approval. procedures approval. Date -- 31-Aug-2021 19-Nov-2021 -- Comments 12/22/2021 Page 14 of 14