Pokhara University

Profile

Introduction

Nepal adopted the multi-university concept in 1983. The idea of Pokhara University (PU) was conceived in 1986; however, it was established only in 1997 under the Pokhara University Act, 1997. The Incumbent Honorable Prime Minister and the Honorable Minister for Education of the Federal Democratic Republic Nepal are the Chancellor and the Pro-Chancellor, respectively.  The Chancellor appoints the Vice Chancellor, the principal executive officer of the university. The Registrar is designated to assist him/her in financial management and general administration. A non-profit autonomous institution, PU is partly funded by the Government of Nepal and partly by revenues from its students and affiliated colleges.

Objectives of Pokhara University

• produce adept human resource in science and technology, humanities and management, and law and education for nation building
• encourage the participation of private sectors in higher education through extension programs
• create healthy, disciplined, result-oriented academic environment that focuses on higher education
• promote competitive and quality higher education through fair competition
• accelerate socio-economic transformation in line with community services

Major Activities

Pokhara university has started its academic activities as guided by the Government’s act since 1996. Its main function is to produce skilled human resources necessary for the national development by providing quality education. In order to achieve such objectives, Semester system based curriculum and evaluation were carried out with high priority to practical knowledge and researches

• Pokhara University developed its four constituent schools where Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees programs are running.
• Pokhara University has started its programs with private participation. At present, there are 49 academic institutions under its affiliation where Bachelor, Master, M.Phil and Ph.D.degrees programs are running.
• Pokhara University has constructed Administrative and Academics Buildings at Dhungepatan, Lekhnath, Kaski. Other physical infrastructure are in the process of development.

Vision

to be a leader in the promotion of education through quality higher education, health and community service

Mission

• develop the institution into a Center of Excellence for Higher Education by enhancing teaching, learning and research activities; to accelerate the national development process by producing job market-driven, responsible, productive, welfare focused and committed human resources; to link the university system with community services
• unfold the potential and creativity of learners, advocating humanism, reason, innovation, and search for truth

Quality education should necessarily not be limited to rhetoric. It has to be in reality and action, so that the university students imbibe critical thinking skills, develop positive attitude to work, and enhance competitiveness. Pokhara University, the youngest university system operating full-fledged programs in the country, aims at producing human resources capable of working for the nation as well as the global community.

Long Term Goals

• promote a high-ranked university in South Asia
• produce high level human resources equipped with skills, values, competences, and excellences
• prepare high level manpower capable of facing challenges and giving directions for future developments
• integrate academic research and scholarship that will strengthen the teaching curriculum, and thus, preserve, generate and disseminate knowledge
• build a dynamic university system proficient in withstanding changes and challenges
• pursue excellence and quality in all aspects of the University’s activities and services

Short Term Goals

• launch programs rich in scope and content, endowed with problem-solving strategies, especially in the areas with gaps between needs and availability from local, national and international perspectives
• develop a rigorous and interactive community of faculty and students where human relationships are valued and respected, equality of opportunity pursued, and personal and intellectual development fostered
• provide students of the Western Development Region with an equitable access to resources to encourage educational partnership both externally and internally to help materialize the University’s mission
• contribute to the socio-economic development of the region as well as the nation

Financing

Pokhara University manages its expenditures mainly from three sources: Nepal Government’s grants, revenue from students and affiliated institutions. PU has been gradually reducing its dependence on government coffer in line with Nepal Government’s fiscal policy of cost-effective sharing with private sectors. However, it fully depends on government grants for financing the capital expenditure, especially on building infrastructures for academic and administrative purposes. With the local community-endowed land, PU provides spaces for Schools and Research Centers included in the University Plan. PU credits donors and contributors involved in the construction of infrastructures, such as hostel, library, stadium, and auditorium.

Outcome

Pokhara University has adopted Semester system. All Bachelor’s degrees are of four years course extended in eight semester and Master’s degrees are of two years extended in four semesters. M. Phil degree is of one and half years extended in three semesters.  There are three Faculties such as :

• Faculty of Sciences and Technology
• Faculty of Management Studies
• Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

There are more than about 25,000 students altogether in 45 programs. In the tenth Convocation of Pokhara University, 1733 students were graduated held on 20 February 2013. This number will increase each year.

Location

Pokhara University is located in Lekhnath Municipality of Kaski district, thirteen kilometer east to the heart of the Pokhara city. It has already built its academic complex in the serene and scenic location of seven lake city, Lekhnath, in the lap of the beautiful Himalayan range and peaks such as Mt. Machhapuchre and Mt. Annapurna. In addition,Begnas lake and Rupa lake are walking distance of its academic complex and central office. It is planning to develop the infrastructure for School of Engineering Sciences on the bank of Khudi River and School of Medical Sciences on the bank of Seti River, five minute walking distance from Prithivi High Way.

Local community is generous to endow the land in the scenic and beautiful location for other potential schools and research center such as School of Education and Sports, School of Tourism and Hotel Management, and Herbal Research Center.

Pokhara University Senate

Pokhara University Senate is as the supreme body of the University.  Except the ex-officio members, the Chancellor on the recommendation of the Executive Council shall nominate the other members of the Senate. At present, the constitution of the Senate shall be as follows: –

S.N.	Region	Designation	Name	Remarks	Photos
A)	Chancellor	Chairperson	Ex-officio	Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal	–
B)	Pro-Chancellor	Vice-Chairperson	Ex-officio	Mr. Giriraj Mani Pokharel, Minister for Education, Nepal	–
C)	Vice-Chancellor	Member	Prof. Chiranjeebi Prasad Sharma	VC, Pokhara University, Lekhnath, Kaski	–
D)	Two persons from amongst Vice-Chancellors of other Universities	Member	1. Prof. Dr. Upendra Kumar Koirala	VC, Mid Western University, Birendranagar, Surkhet	–
			2. Prof. Bhusan Shrestha	VC, Far-western University, Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur	–
E)	Secretary, Ministry of Education	Member	Ex-officio	Mr. Bishwo Prakash Pandit	–
F)	Three persons from amongst the educationists	Member	1. Assoc. Prof. Hari Prasad Tripathi	Institute of Forestry (T.U.), Pokhara, Kaski	–
			2. Assoc. Prof. Kamal Dhakal	Prithivi Narayan Campus (T.U.), Pokhara, Kaski	–
			3. Lecturer Mr. Kamal Raj Poudel	Prithivi Narayan Campus (T.U.), Pokhara, Kaski	–
G)	Deans	Member	1. Prof. Dr. Indra Prasad Tiwari	Dean, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, PU	–
				Dean, Faculty of Science & Technology, PU	–
			3. Dr. Karn Bir Paudel	Dean, Faculty of Management Studies, PU	–
			4. Dr. Khem Raj Joshi	Dean, Faculty of Health Science, PU
H)	Three persons from amongst the Mayors of the Municipalities including the Mayor of Pokhara Municipality	Member	–	–	–
I)	Four persons from amongst the Campus Chiefs	Member	1. Prof. Dr. Narayan Sangraulla	Campus Chief, Shahid Ramnath Dahal Smirti College, Kathmandu	–
			2. Mr. Baburam Upadhyaya	Campus Chief, United Technical College, Chitwan	–
			3. Mr. L. P. Bhanu Sharma	Campus Chief, Apex College, Kathmandu	–
			4. Mr. Shivahari Sharma Mudwari	Campus Chief, National Academy of Science & Technology (NAST), Dhangadi	–
J)	Three persons from amongst the Chairperson of the Subject Committees of the University	Member	1. Prof. Dr. Prem Raj Panta	Chairperson, Management Subject Committee, PU	–
			2. Prof. Dr. Shridhar Lohani	Chairperson, English Subject Committee, PU	–
			3. Mr. Bhesh Raj Kandel	Chairperson, Elecrtonics & Communication Subject Committee, PU	–
K)	Representative of Nepal Professor Union	Member	Mr. Rameshwor Upadhyaya	Chairperson, Nepal Teachers’ Association	–
L)	Representative, Pokhara University Teachers Association	Member	Lecturer Mr. Nirajan Bam	Chairperson, Pokhara University Teachers’ Association	–
M)	Three persons from teachers	Member	1. Assoc. Prof. Rajesh Kumar Thagurathi	School of Business, PU
			2. Lecturer Dr. Ram Prasad Aryal	School of Development Social Engineering, PU
			3. Lecturer Mr. Buddhi Raj Joshi	School of Engineering, PU
N)	Three persons from amongst the Presidents of the District Development Committees including the President of the Kaski District Development Committee	Member	–	–	–
O)	Chairperson of the University Grants Commission or a member designated by him	Member	Prof. Dr. Parasar Koirala	Chairperson, UGC	–
P)	Three persons from amongst those who are fond of education and social workers	Member	1. Mr. Shaligram Paudel	Lekhnath, Kaski	–
			2. Mr. Somnath Adhikari Pyashi	Pokhara, Kaski
			3. Mr. Dev Raj Chalise	Pokhara, Kaski
Q)	Four persons from amongst the industrialists, traders and farmers	Member	1. Mr. Bindu Kumar Thapa	Chairperson, Pokhara Chamber of Commerce, Pokhara	–
			2. Mr. Laxmi Prasad Tripathi	Chairperson, Lekhnath Chamber of Commerce, Lekhnath	–
			3. Mr. Bhisnu Paudel	Lekhnath, Kaksi	–
			4. Mr. Ganesh Bahadur Thapa	Chairperson, Laxmi Group, Pokhara	–
R)	Two persons from amongst the donors	Member	1. Mr. Khag Raj Adhikari	Lekhnath, Kaski	–
			2. Assoc. Prof. Hut Raj Sharma	Prithivi Narayan Campus (T.U.), Pokhara	–
S)	Two persons from the Headmasters of Higher Secondary Schools	Member	1. Mr. Mitra Lal Sapkota	Headmaster, Tribhuvan Santi Higher Secondary School, Lekhnath	–
			2. Mr. Krishna K.C.	Headmaster, Multimodel Higher Secondary School, Pokhara	–
T)	Two person from the Presidents of the Free Students Unions of the Campus	Member	–	–	–
U)	Registrar	Member Secretary	Assoc. Prof. Gobinda Prasad Sharma	Registrar, Pokhara University	–

The University senate has following powers and functions:

1. To decide the policy of the University.
2. To design long-term programs for the development of the University and implement them
3. To guide the University
4. To conduct and manage the educational program of the University
5. To arrange for the incorporation and affiliation of campuses
6. To decide the degrees to be awarded by the University
7. To direct the guide constituent as well as affiliated campuses
8. To give permission to the University lunch new program
9. To make the policies on educational, academic and administrative activities of the University
10. To approve the annual budget and program of the University
11. To discuss the annual reports of the bodies of the University and evaluate the programs
12. To appoint the auditor and to discuss on the audit reports and approve it
13. To pass the rules concerning the University
14. To approve the recruitment of posts of teachers and administrative employees for the educational and administrative functions of the University
15. To form committees, sub-committees and task forces as per the needs of the University
16. Such other functions as may be prescribed

Introduction

Pokhara University Central Library (PUCL) was established along with the academic programs of University in 1999. It began with a collection of 200 volumes of books. Now, the collection exceeds 21,000 volumes of books. In addition, there are the collection of periodicals, thesis and CDs, journals, e-journals, magazines and newspapers. This library is automated with LIBRA software from which all internal tasks such as book and patron management are being carried out by the software.  For security purpose library is using CCTV cameras. We have 4 cameras in reference section and 4 in circulation section. Currently, 12 staff are working in the library.

This library is an academic library so it is responsible to disseminate information, store information for the use of users.
The main function of this library is to provide, information, resources and research support for its members.

Library Opening Hours
This library opens in all days except public and local holidays. Generally, library opens at early in the morning to late evening.
Reference section opens at 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM in summer season and it opens at 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM in winter.
Circulation section opens at 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM in summer season and it opens at 7:00 AM to 3.30 PM in winter.

Users
The users of PUCL are students, teachers, researchers and staff of the University. Currently, PUCL has more over 2200 users.

Membership
Students, teachers and staff are the member of the library. If a person wants to enroll himself as a member, he/she should contact with library staff. After completing the formalities, he/she will be registered as a member. It is requested that two copies of auto size photographs along with filled library form should submit to the library.

Services

• Book transactions
• Document delivery
• User education
• Reference service
• CAS (Current Awareness Service)
• OPAC services
• Photocopy & Printing facilities