Kathmandu University

History

As a precursor to the establishment of a University, a team dedicated people first established Kathmandu Valley Campus (Private campus under the affiliation of Tri-bhuvan University) in 1985 to provide education in Intermediate of Science (ISc). The same team proposed the establishment of Kathmandu University. After thorough discussion on the proposal in the Parliament, Kathmandu University was granted by an Act of Parliament on December 11, 1991.

Foundation

When established in November 1991 as a non-profit, autonomous, public university by an Act KU became first privately managed public institution of higher learning in Nepal. The predecessor of the university was the Kathmandu Valley Campus founded in 1985. The campus started as a private campus affiliated to Tribhuvan University and offered courses in science at intermediate level (I.Sc).

Kathmandu University started its academic program in 1992 with an Intermediate in Science program. In 1994, the university launched Bachelor programs in Pharmacy, Biology and Engineering (electrical and electronics, computer and mechanical). Later, Environmental Engineering and Sciences was included in its academic program. M.Phil and PhD programs were started in 1997. The university also started a Law program, under the School of Law in 2014.

Important Milestones

Organization and Institutions

Kathmandu University provides education through seven schools:

The School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS) and the School of Engineering have the most students. The School of Medical Science was formerly known as KUMS, but in 2006 its name was changed to KUSMS, with the view that the school not only trains medical graduates and postgraduates but also runs paramedical disciplines. The School of Science and School of Engineering are present in the university premises unlike other schools which have affiliated colleges around the nation. School of Engineering currently runs undergraduate and graduate level courses mostly in Electrical and Electronics, Mechanical and Computer Engineering. It has also recently launched Civil and Geomatics Engineering. The School of Science is currently conducting classes in B.Sc Human Biology, Environmental Science and Engineering, Bio Technology and Applied Physics.Chemical Engineering, BSc nursing In Midwifery, and Bachelors in Physiotherapy is the recent addition to the list of subject being offered by KU to students in Nepal for the first time ever.

Affiliations

The university, in partnership with Rangjung Yeshe Institute, runs the Centre for Buddhist Studies. The centre offers undergraduate and graduate programs leading to Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Buddhist Studies and Himalayan languages. It provides research facilities for visiting international scholars of Buddhism for their graduate or postgraduate projects. In the summer, it hosts study-abroad programs and conducts intensive language immersion programs in Tibetan, Nepali, and Sanskrit.

The university owns Kathmandu University High School.

Except for the School of Education and School of Management, the schools operate from the university's premises at Dhulikhel. Four batches of students have completed their MBA programs from the School of Management. The first convocation of the university was held on 7 August 1995 and the convocation address was given by management guru, Dr. M.B. Atreya of India. The second convocation was held on 8 December 1996 and the convocation address was delivered by Professor N. Gyanam, Vice Chancellor, Pondicherry University and the President of Association of Indian Universities. The third convocation was held on 9 November 1997 and the convocation address was delivered by Professor (Dr.) M. Rammohan Rao, director, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, India. The fourth convocation, held on 17 September 1998, was addressed by the prominent scholar and ex-vice chancellor of Norwegian Institute of Technology, Norway. For the first time in Nepal, Kathmandu University convocated a batch of environmental, mechanical, electrical, electronics and computer science and engineering graduates.

International scholarships

Silver Jubilee

Kathmandu University held a Ceremony at the main campus to mark the beginning of its year-long Silver Jubilee celebration.A Silver Jubilee Celebration Organizing Committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the Chancellor, Rt. Hon'ble Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

Some of the programs envisioned include establishing Silver Jubilee Logo, inaugurating newly constructed buildings and constructing new ones, establishing Silver Jubilee Tower, felicitating well-known national and international scholars, organizing presentation programs with scholars from different fields, organizing KU Oration, exhibiting academic works of KU Family, publishing Silver Jubilee Souvenir and books, and organizing various sports and cultural programs.

Rt. Hon'ble President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, who graced the Ceremony as the Chief Guest, marked the inauguration of Silver Jubilee by unveiling the Silver Jubilee Logo and inaugurated the newly constructed buildings. Rt. Hon'ble Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, the Chancellor of the University, chaired the Ceremony, and laid the foundation stone of the Silver Jubilee Tower.

The Inaugural Ceremony included enlightening speeches of Hon'ble Minister for Education Giriraj Mani Pokhrel, Prof. Suresh Raj Sharma, the Founding Vice Chancellor of KU, Mr. Daman Nath Dhungana, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Prof. Dr. Ram Kantha Makaju Shrestha, Vice Chancellor.

Several cultural presentations were held on the occasion along with plantation of plants of variety of species. Renowned personalities, heads of district offices along with local residents and KU Family showed their gracious presence and participation in the ceremony.