1. Establishment

The objective of establishment of Pokhara University is quite different than the Tribhuvan University, Nepal Sanskrit, and Purbanchal University. It was established in 2053 but the exercise to bring into existence of the university was started since 2042. During the inception of the idea of multi universities in the country, its name was Paschimanchal University. Finally, act of Pokhara University was passed in 1997. There was the great contribution of the local entrepreneurs, Pokhara Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and social activists to change the dream of university in reality. Recognition has been given to industrialists nominating three industrialists as a senator.

The objective of Pokhara University is to increase the participation of private sector in higher education in order to enhance quality and standard of education on competitive basis, and to make academic and educational atmosphere of the country more fair, disciplined and result-oriented. So, to increase the private sector participation, the number of colleges established by private sector is many times higher than constituent colleges established by university itself. The major sources of income of the university are affiliation fee, registration fee, examination fee from students of both private and constituent colleges. Government grants are very insignificant as compared to other university, though the university is second largest university in terms of number of students.

• Location

The objective of the Pokhara University is to be a leading academic institution of Western Region of Nepal currently Gandaki Province. Its colleges are spread out from Mahendranagar to Morang, highest number of colleges are located in Kathmandu. Almost eight years (2054-2062) the university was run in rented buildings scattered in different places of Pokhara. Even though university was named from the Pokhara City, activists were from Pokhara, land was not provided in Pokhara. There were two municipalities Pokhara and Lekhnath in Kaski district. Lekhnath Municipality provided land for university in Wad no. 11 to construct head office and academic block at Dhungepatan which is 15 kilometer east from Pokhara, 1.3 kilometer far from Prithvi Highway. First Vice Chancellor Purusottam Banskota developed infrastructure in Dhungepatan during his second tenure, second Vice Chancellor Keshar Jung Baral shifted the administration and academic activities to Lekhnath and fourth Vice Chancellor Chiranjeevi Sharma expanded the university program to Morang as well as created new concept of Joint Constituent College with the participation of non for profit making organizations.

The location is suitable for the academic institution but still the space is not sufficient to expand the new programs. University is planning to build a teaching hospital to enhance the quality of health related programs in the same place. Local authorities and people also have shown great interest to provide the land to university for the additional programs and activities. University will grow with new programs, new constituent colleges and new faculty.Students 30645, Colleges 66 Programs 61 and Scholarship 1111

Location wise, the presence of the university (constituent, joint constituent and affiliated colleges) is as follows:

• Vice Chancellors of Pokhara University

• Faculties and Programs

4.1 Faculty of Management Studies: It is oldest faculty of university, offers following degree viz. Bachelors, Post Graduate Diploma, Master and PhD. There are altogether 13 programs including six in Bachelors, one in post graduate, and six in Master level. The doctoral program is running under the Council of Doctoral Studies and students from management streams are also enrolled there. Three years and four years BBA was introduced by first time in Nepal.

Name of programs offered by FMS are:

• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
•  
• Faculty of Health Science: Previously Faculty of Health Science was under the Faculty of Science and Technology which was demerged in 2073 into Faculty of Health Science and Faculty of Science and Technology. Now the faculty looks after health related programs only. There are altogether 17 programs including 10 programs in Bachelors and7programs in Master level.
  1. Bachelor of Business Administration in Banking and Insurance (BBA BI)
  2. Bachelor of Business Administration in Travel and Tourism (BBA TT)
  3. Bachelor of Computer Information System (BCIS)
  4. Bachelor of Health Care Management (BHCM)
  5. Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM)
  6. Post Graduate Diploma in Health Care Management
  7. Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  8. Master of Business Administration (Finance)
  9. Master of Business Administration (Global Business)
  10. Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA)
  11. Master of Health Care Management (MHCM)
  12. Master of Computer Information System (MCIS)

1. Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science
2. Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Technology
3. Bachelor of Public Health
4. Bachelor of Science in Medical Microbiology
5. Bachelor of Science in Medical Biochemistry
6. Bachelor of Science in Nursing
7. Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
8. Bachelor of Nursing Sciences
9. Bachelor of Optometry
10. Bachelor of Physiotherapy
11. Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Clinical Pharmacy)
12. Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Natural Product Chemistry)
13. Master of Public Health (Health Promotion Education)
14. Master of Public Health (Public Health Service Management)
15. Master of Science in Medical Biochemistry
16. Master of Science in Medical Microbiology
17. Master of Optometry

• Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences runsseven programs in different levels viz. two programs in Bachelors level, three programs in Masters Level, one program in M.Phil level. It has run PhD program under Council of Doctoral studies.These are the programs under FHSS.

1. Bachelor of Development Studies (BDEVS)
2. Bachelor of English and Communication Studies
3. Master of Population, Gender and Development  (MPGD)
4. Master of Development Studies (MDEVS)
5. Master of Arts in English
6. Master of Philosophy in English
7. PhD

Faculty has designed entrepreneurship program in Bachelors level which will be run in appropriate time near future. Only run programs (60) are presented below.

Source: CDC, PU, 2019

The entry level in PhD program is MPhil. It is also called research track only program. University is planning to run MPhil leading to PhD program near future.

4.4 Faculty of Science and Technology

Faculty of Science and Technology is youngest faculty but short span of time; it introduced highest number of programs (23). Under Bachelors level there are 11 programs and in Master level there are 12 programs. Some of the programs are pioneer.

1. Bachelor of Civil Engineering
2. Bachelor of Civil Engineering for Diploma Holders
3. Bachelor of Civil & Rural Engineering
4. Bachelor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
5. Bachelor of Electronics and Communication Engineering
6. Bachelor of Computer Engineering
7. Bachelor of Engineering in Information Technology
8. Bachelor of Software Engineering
9. Bachelor of Architecture
10. Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management
11. Bachelor of Computer Application
12. Master of Science in Environmental Management
13. Master of Science in Computer Science
14. Master of Science in Natural Resources Management
15. Master of Science in Construction Management
16. Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Water Resource Management
17. Master of Science in Transportation Engineering & Management
18. Master of Science in Computer Engineering
19. Master of Science in Structural Engineering
20. Master of Science in Information System  Engineering
21. Master of Science in Hydropower Engineering
22. Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in Power System
23. Master of Science in Public Health and Disaster Engineering
24. Colleges  and Students

University is guided by the preamble of the Pokhara University Act, 2053. University has four constituent college, 58 private and four joint constituent college. University run health and engineering related programs collaboration with following organizations. These organization are called joint constituent college since the mode of operandi is quite different from constituent and affiliated colleges.

Constituent Colleges

1. School of Business
2. School of Health and Allied Science
3. School of Engineering
4. School of Development and Social Engineering

Joint Constituent Colleges

1. Himalayan Eye Hospital, Pokhara, Kaski
2. Tilganaga  Institute of Ophthalmology, Kathmandu
3. BPK Memorial Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur, Chitawan
4. Madan Bhandari Memorial College, Urlabari, Jhapa

Affiliated Colleges

Management Related Colleges

1.   Ace Institute of Management, Sinamangal, Kathmandu

2    Alpine Management College, Bagiya, Banke

3    Amity College, Bhimdutta-6, Kanchanpur

4    Apex College, Baneshwor, Kathmandu

5    Apollo International College, Lakhechaur Marg, New Baneshwor, Kathmandu

6    Atharva Business College, Bansbari, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu

7    Atlantic International College, Galkopakha, Samakhusi, Kathmandu

8    Axis College, Butwal-10 Sukkhanagar

9    Boston International College, Bharatpur-10, HakimchokChitwan

10  Brihaspati College, Goligadh-9, Bhairawaha, Rupandehi

11  Brixton College, BDN 6, AithpurKanchanpur

12  Central College of Business Management, Sinamangal, Kathmandu

13  Citizen College, Satdobato, Lalitpur

14  Excel Business College, New Baneshwor, Lakhechaur Marg, Thapagaun, Kathmandu

15  Kshitiz International College, Kalika Nagar-12, Butwal

16  Liberty College, Anamnagar, Kathmandu

17  Malpi International College, SubarnaShamsher Marg, Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal

18  Medhavi College, Shankhamul, Kathmandu

19  Nepal Tourism and Hotel Mangement College, Chinnedanda, Pokhara, Kaski

20  Nepal Western Management and Engineering College, SantoshiTole, Kailali

21  Norvic Business College, Hattisar, Kamladi, Kathmandu

22  Platinum Management College, Kalikasthan, Dillibazar, Kathmandu

23  Pokhara College of Management, Gyanmarg, Nadipur, Pokhara, Kaski

24  Quest International College, Gwarko, Lalitpur

25  Rajdhani Model College, Mid Baneshwor, Kathmandu

26  SahidRamnathDahalSmriti College, BanasthaliChowk, BalajuRingroad, Kathmandu

27  SAIM College, Patan Hospital Road, Lagankhel, Lalitpur

28  Shuvashree Academy International College, Tinkune, Kathmandu

29  Siddhartha International College, Butwal-11, Rupandehi

30  Tillottama Campus, Yogikuti, Shankarnagar, Rupandehi

31  Uniglobe College, Kalimarg, Baneshwor-34, Kathmandu

32  V.S. Niketan College, Minbhawan, Tinkune, Kathmandu

33  Valley State College, Basantachowk-09, Chitwan

34  Victoria International College, Ghorahi, Dang

35  Ritz Hospitality Management College, Balkumari, Lalitpur

36  School of Environmental Science and Management (SchEMS), DevkotaSadak, Mid Baneshwor, Kathmandu

Engineering Related Colleges

1. College of Engineering & Management, Nepalgung, Banke
2. Gandaki College of Engineering and Science, Lamachaur, Pokhara-16, Kaski
3. Lumbini Engineering, Management and Science College, Manakamanapath, Bhalwari, Butwal, Rupandehi
4. Nepal Engineering College, Changunarayan, Bhaktapur
5. Pokhara Engineering College, Phirke, Pokhara, Kaski
6. Rapti Engineering College, Ghorahi-01, Saniambapur, Dang

Health Science Related Colleges

1. CiST College, SangamChowk, New Baneshwor-34, Kathmandu
2. Modern Technical College, Sanepa, Lalitpur

Humanities and Social Science Related College

Institute of Advance Communication Education and Research Center, Baneshwor, Heights, Tanka Prasad Marg, Kathmandu

Joint Faculty Programs run Colleges

Health and Other Faculty

1. Crimson College of Technology, Devinagar, Rupandehi
2. LA Grande International College, Simalchaur, Pokhara, Kaski
3. Universal Engineering & Science College, Chakupat, Lalitpur
4. National Open College, Sanepa, Lalitpur
5. Nobel College, Sinamangal, Kathmandu

Humanities and Social Science Related

1. Butwal Model College Padsari-08, Kattaiya, Rupandehi
2. Camad College, Sukedhara, Kathmandu

Engineering and other programs

1. Pokhara Engineering College, Phirke, Pokhara, Kaski
2. Rapti Engineering College, Ghorahi-01, Saniambapur, Dang
3. United Technical College, Bharatpur-11, Chitwan
4. Everest Engineering College, Sanepa-2, Lalitpur
5. Cosmos College of Management and Technology, Tutepani-14, Lalitpur

Engineering and other faculty

1. College of Engineering & Management, Nepalgung, Banke
2. Gandaki College of Engineering and Science, Lamachaur, Pokhara-16, Kaski
3. Lumbini Engineering, Management and Science College, Manakamanapath, Bhalwari, Butwal, Rupandehi
4. Nepal Engineering College, Changunarayan, Bhaktapur
5. National Academy of Science and Technology Dhangadi, Kailali
6. Nepal College of Information Technology, Balkumari, Lalitpur
7. Oxford College of Engineering and Management, Gaidakot, Nawalparasi

5.1 Geographical Distribution of the Colleges

Pokhara University, even though situated in Province 4 (Gandaki), 60 percent colleges are situated in Province 3 (Kathmandu and Chitwan) while in province 4 has only 15 percent. The presence in province 7 is very low. It is quite difficult to understand the affiliation policy and long term strategy of Pokhara University or we can say that there is no concrete plan and program of university. Since the university is based on province 4, proper attention should be given to same province. We hope that in coming days, all universities in Nepal will focus their efforts and activities in their home province rather than scatter the efforts.

• Program-wise Distribution of Colleges

University granted more than one stream / program of different faculties to colleges. Constituent colleges and more than 75% percent affiliated college run program of single faculty and 48% colleges run program of more than one faculty.

• Relations of PU with Foreign Universities

University has established good relationship with various universities, educational institutions and academic consortium and forum. These organizations support in academic sector in different ways. Some of the institutions currently established with following organizations:

1. Central Queensland University Australia

2. Independent University Bangladesh, Bangladesh

3. International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT) Bangladesh

4. Burgas Free University Bulgaria

5. INNOTAL Bulgaria

6. Jilin University China

7. University of Science and Technology China

8. Qinghai Nationalities University China

9. Sichuan University of People’s Republic of China China

10. University of South China China

11. Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Czech Republic

12. South China University China

13. Panjab University India

14. University of Roorkee India

15. KIIT University India

16. India Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) India

17. Shree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology India

18. Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology India

19. Institute of Foreign Trade and Management India

20. The University of Rome “Tor Vergata” Italy

21. University of Padova (UNIPD) Italy

22. Institute of Technology Sepuluh Indonesia

23. University Under Forum for Integrated Development of Eleventh University (Find-11) Indonesia

24. Showa Pharmaceutical University Japan

25. Institute of Natural Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University Japan

26. National University Corporation Ehime University Japan

27. Kumamoto University Japan

28. Yonsei University Korea

29. Institute of Oriental Medicine, Dongguk University Korea

30. Sun Moon University Korea

31. Pusan National University, College of Engineering Korea

32. National Information Society agency of Republic of Korea Korea

33. Handong Global University Korea

34. Kumoh National Institute of Technology Korea

35. Kookmin University Korea

36. International Youth Fellowship (IYF) Korea

37. Yeungnam University Korea

38. National Research Foundation Korea

39. University of Sains Malaysia Malaysia

40. Kathmandu University Nepal

41. Research Center for Applied Science and Technology (RECAST) Nepal

42. B. P. Kolirala Memorial Cancer Hospital Nepal

43. Tribhuwan University Nepal

44. Manipal College of Medical Sciences and Manipal Teaching Hospital Nepal

45. University Grants Commission Nepal

46. NAST Nepal

47. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN) Nepal

48. Himalayan University Consortium-ICIMOD Nepal

49. The University of Nordland (Bodø University College) Norway

50. University of Tromso Norway

51. Institute of Business Management (IOBM) Pakistan

52. University of Warsaw Poland

53. Bialystok University of Technology Poland

54. Emilio Aguinaldo College Philippines

55. EXPERTS4 Asia Some European and Asian Universities Consortium

56. EXPERTS SUSTAIN Some European and Asian Universities Consortium

57. SPHERA? International project Spain

58. Asian Institute of Technology Thailand

59. Shinawatra University Thailand

60. Royal Embassy of Thailand

61. Kingston College of London UK

62. Ball State University USA

63. St. Cloud State University USA

64. Claflin University USA

65. Georgia southwestern State University USA

66. Arizona State University USA

67. Bellevue University USA

68. Hanoi University of Science Vietnam

• Modern Pedagogy

The beauty of Pokhara University is semester and trimester system, and application of modern pedagogy and continuous evaluation. There are various sources of knowledge that is obtained by students. Students learn from their peers, involving in project works, writing reports and articles, presenting the papers in seminar, organizing the workshop and interaction program. In technical programs, students learn from on the job training, laboratory, and community. Students from management stream learn from internship in organization. Getting knowledge from books is not sufficient to students to be a competent and knowledgeable. University used to apply modern approach of teaching (pedagogy).

Evaluation system of university is also more scientific since 50% (in bachelor’s level) and 60% (in master’s level) is evaluation is done by subject teacher based on different criteria. Moreover, 100% evaluation is done by subject teachers in Masters level (except first and last trimester) through written test as well as other means of test. The evaluation technique encourages to students to learn wide range of study materials, interact with professionals, updated in the current issues, practical experiences.