Pokhara University (PU) was established as Nepal's first regional higher education institution. Located in the picturesque city of Pokhara, it serves as the premier center of excellence in education, research, and innovation in the Western Development Region of Nepal.
With a vision to be a leading university in the global academic arena, PU aims to provide quality education for leadership and social transformation. It follows core values of access, equity, autonomy, accountability, quality, efficiency, identity, and integrity.
As a non-profit, autonomous institution, PU focuses on educational access and equity for students while upholding high academic standards. It offers programs in sciences, management, humanities, education, law, and technical disciplines across 60 constituent campuses and affiliated colleges.
With over 100,000 students and fast growth in recent years, PU has cemented its significance in Nepal's higher education landscape. It produces graduates equipped to address Nepal’s pressing economic, social, and technological challenges. As the country’s bridge to the world, PU endeavors to prepare students for the globalized workforce.
Through its teaching, research, and community services, Pokhara University shapes the next generation of professionals, leaders, and innovators while expanding the frontiers of intellectual inquiry. It is driven to serve students, the community, and the nation to fulfill its vision as Nepal’s leading university.
Historical Background
Establishment
Pokhara University was established in 1997 by the Pokhara University Act with a vision to provide quality higher education in the Western Development Region of Nepal. Motivated by rapid population growth and the need for greater access to higher education, the university emerged as Nepal’s first regional, non-profit, autonomous institution of higher learning.
Initial constituent campuses were the Prithvi Narayan Campus, Science Campus, Nepalganj Campus, and Butwal College. Starting with just over 4 faculty and 3000 students, PU has seen tremendous growth over the past two decades.
Major Milestones
Important milestones in PU’s development include introducing new academic programs across disciplines, establishing community services, opening constituent and affiliated colleges, and initiating research publications.
In 2010, it opened the School of Medical Sciences to offer MBBS degrees and associated medical programs. More recently in 2022, the university opened the Pokhara University Law Campus to provide quality legal education in the region.
Today, PU stands as a premier university with 4 constituent campuses and over 58 affiliated colleges offering hundreds of academic programs to over 100,000 students with the support of over 5000 faculty and staff.
Governance
As an autonomous university, the governance of academic, administrative, and financial systems rests with the university itself. The Pokhara University Act 1997 establishes the institutional structure consisting of the University Council, Executive Council, Academic Council, Research Management Council, and other boards.
The Executive Council exercises executive powers for day-to-day administration while the Academic Council oversees all academic matters. The governing mechanisms uphold PU’s core principles of access, equity, efficiency, and academic excellence in the interest of students, faculty, and Nepali society.
Academic Programs
Pokhara University offers a wide range of academic programs across disciplines at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Areas of study include:
- Sciences - Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science
- Management - Business Administration, Hotel Management, Tourism Management
- Humanities and Social Sciences - Languages, Journalism, Sociology, Economics, History
- Education - Curriculum & Instruction, Special Education, Leadership
- Technical Subjects - Architecture, Engineering, Agriculture, Forestry
- Health Sciences - Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy
- Law
Specializations are offered within many subject areas in the form of majors and minors at the bachelor’s level. Master’s programs provide advanced study in many disciplines to develop specialized skills and knowledge for students’ chosen career paths. Additionally, PU offers terminal degree programs at the doctoral level in several fields to support original research.
Faculties
Academic departments are grouped under different faculties providing degree programs as follows:
- Faculty of Management Studies
- Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Law
- Institute of Engineering
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences & Forestry
PU encourages interdisciplinary learning, international collaboration, and innovative delivery of programs. This includes joint academic programs with foreign universities, semester exchange opportunities, online/distance mode courses, and continuing education programs for career professionals.
With its comprehensive catalog of academic programs across disciplines taught by knowledgeable faculty, Pokhara University produces graduates empowered to succeed in the global workplace and contribute to community development.
Campus Life and Facilities
Campus Infrastructure
Spread across the beautiful city of Pokhara, the university campus provides state-of-the-art academic infrastructure for teaching, learning, and research activities. Academic buildings have spacious, modern classrooms equipped with audio-visual technology and high-speed internet access.
Specialized facilities across campuses include well-resourced libraries, innovative science and computer labs, a teaching hospital, a forensic lab, a moot court hall, a language lab, specialized education facilities, and more. Research centers like the Research Center for Applied Science and Technology provide advanced equipment to undertake impactful research projects.
Recreational public spaces, cafeterias, health clinics, and transport facilities provide a supportive environment. Initiatives like sustainable campuses and disabled-friendly facilities make the vibrant campus life more accessible and enjoyable for all.
Student Life
Beyond academics, PU provides an avenue for holistic development through student clubs, creative activities, and sports. Various student organizations cater to interests from music, debate, volunteer work, and more allowing students to pursue passions and gain valuable leadership experience.
Annual festivals, talent shows, and competitions give students a platform to showcase skills, build bonds with peers, and create memories for a lifetime. Students can also partake in placements, industry visits, and study abroad programs to enhance career readiness.
Support Services
Academic departments provide mentorship programs, tutorials, and remedial classes to support learning. Central career counseling services offer guidance on higher studies admissions and job placements. On-campus health clinics address physical and psychological well-being through health checkups, counseling, and awareness drives. Grievance redressal cells protect rights and enforce codes of conduct to uphold ethics.
Together with its scenic location and thriving student culture, the university's support services, campus infrastructure and stress on extracurricular involvement create a stimulating environment where students can truly flourish.
Research and Innovation
Research Culture
Pokhara University maintains a thriving research environment to engage students and faculty in impactful research that advances intellectual inquiry and supports regional development needs.
Key research areas include biotechnology, public health, renewable energy, agriculture, computer science, economics, climate change, and more. Faculty research outputs include publications in reputed journals as well as books, book chapters, and conference papers.
Notable projects funded by national and international agencies include an automated lake water quality monitoring system, seismic vulnerability assessment of cultural heritage sites, and farmers' adaptation to climate change.
Research Centers and Initiatives
To bolster research culture, PU runs dedicated research support programs like:
- Research Center for Applied Science and Technology: Provides research instrumentation, analytical lab facilities, funding and commercialization support
- Pokhara University Research Society: Supports student research through grants and mentorship
- Annual Research Week: Showcases research via paper presentations, exhibitions and expert talks
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
PU partners with government agencies on initiatives like the Pokhara University Science Park to facilitate entrepreneurship through intellectual property support, startup incubation, mentoring, and seed funding. This has supported over 50 technology startups and helped create cost-effective solutions for societal needs.
Overall, Pokhara University’s multifaceted efforts in research, innovation, and commercialization enable students and faculty to amplify their scholarly impact on community service and nation-building.
Distinguished Faculty
Pokhara University has a diverse community of over 500 qualified and dedicated faculty members guiding academic programs and research activities. Over 60% of faculty hold PhD qualifications from globally reputed universities.
Faculty areas of expertise span diverse specializations like microbiology, hydrology, nanoscience, education leadership, tourism management, and more. Their high-impact research and scholarly publications keep PU at the forefront of many academic domains.
Faculty members have received prestigious awards and fellowships recognizing their pioneering research and pedagogical innovations. They actively collaborate with international agencies and serve on expert panels advancing policy reforms regionally and nationally.
Many senior faculty also take on leadership roles as deans, controllers, campus chiefs, and department heads guiding the strategic growth of disciplines under their charge. Their vision and dedication make PU a sought-after center for quality teaching and research.
Support Staff
Efficient administrative departments working harmoniously behind the scenes enable the smooth functioning of the university. Over 2500 staff across departments like Examinations, Finance, Construction, Public Relations, Procurement, and Human Resources handle day-to-day operations, student services, infrastructure development, and compliance effectively.
Staff also liaise with governmental bodies and participate in administrative committees at affiliated colleges. Their hard work creates an enabling environment for PU community members to excel in their academic and career aspirations.
Together, our distinguished faculty and capable staff lead by example to make Pokhara University a premier institution imparting quality education, building research capacity, and helping uplift local communities.
International Partnerships
Committed to developing global perspectives among students, Pokhara University maintains active collaborations with esteemed international universities and organizations across the world.
Key partnerships include:
- Joint Programs – Double degree programs in Food Science and Environmental Science offered collaboratively with the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan
- International Mobility Programs - Semester exchange partnerships under the Erasmus+ program facilitating student and faculty mobility to 26 European universities
- Visiting Professors – Short-term teaching assignments by faculty from partner universities like Linnaeus University, Sweden
- Research Partnerships – Multi-year collaborative projects with leading institutions like the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich)
- Capacity Building Programs – Faculty training programs, curriculum development projects, and pedagogical workshops conducted with organizations like the World Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency
These multidimensional partnerships spur knowledge exchange, pedagogical innovation, collaborative research, and multicultural exposure for students and faculty alike.
By leveraging international collaborations, Pokhara University keeps expanding global engagement opportunities to equip graduates with cross-cultural competencies and life-long learning skills for the 21st-century world of work.
Community Engagement and Impact
Community Service
Pokhara University strongly believes that institutions of higher learning have a vital responsibility toward the communities they are embedded. Guided by this ethos of social responsibility and service, PU undertakes multifaceted community outreach programs.
Key focus areas include public health, rural development, technology access, heritage conservation, environment protection, and local capacity building. Flagship programs run via student volunteers and university centers include health camps, mobile IT education for remote schools, tourism infrastructure mapping, and more.
PU also provides technical support around sustainable farming, agro-based entrepreneurship, and renewable energy solutions guided by faculty expertise from relevant domains. Partnerships with local governments, I/NGOs, and industry catalyze the university's community development initiatives for enhanced impact.
Influence and Policy Reform
As a pioneering regional HEI, PU plays an instrumental role in higher education policy evolution in Nepal’s provincial and federal structures. Representation on government committees coupled with policy input via white papers, consultative forums, and leadership commentary continues to shape reforms.
Faculty frequently support governments on policy formulation around climate resilience, agriculture, infrastructure, energy access, and more via evidence-based research, pilot studies, and advisory panels.
By aligning academic priorities to community needs and nurturing social accountability across teaching, research, and service functions, Pokhara University continues to transform society towards equitable progress and sustainability.
Alumni Network
With over 100,000 graduates contributing across business, research, education, social service, and more, Pokhara University boasts an extensive alumni network. The PU Alumni Association, with chapters across Nepal and globally, actively strengthens this network.
Key initiatives include guest talks to inspire students, mentorship programs to support new graduates, fundraisers for scholarships, industry linkages for internships and jobs, and more. Annual events like homecoming provide a platform for alumni to reconnect and give back to the community.
Admissions
Pokhara University has transparent, merit-based admission criteria for enrolling talented candidates across programs ranging from undergraduate to PhD levels.
Applications are open annually from May to July for fall enrollment. Entry is subject to performance in qualifying national-level examinations and the university's entrance tests. Candidates are screened for academic proficiency, aptitude, and analytical skills.
Admission quotas aim to enhance the inclusion of disadvantaged groups and students from remote regions. International student admissions are also facilitated each year attracting diversity.
Scholarships
PU attempts to support students facing financial hardship through various scholarship schemes:
- Merit scholarships reward top rankers in entrance tests with full/partial tuition fee waivers
- Means-cum-merit scholarships assist students from low-income families who perform well academically
- Reserved category scholarships aimed at increasing access for women, disabled students, and ethnic minorities
- Community scholarships sustained through contributions from PU alumni around the world
Additionally, students can benefit from government scholarships, external charity grants, and institutional wage employment available every year for deserving candidates.
By democratizing quality education through needs-blind admission and adequate scholarships, the university aims to nurture meritorious, socially-conscious students irrespective of socio-economic background.
Expanding Horizons
As Pokhara University nears its silver jubilee anniversary in the coming decade, it is poised for ambitious growth in line with its strategic vision for 2030. Key developmental goals for the future include:
- New Research Institutes: Establishing multidisciplinary research centers of excellence in community-relevant domains like tourism, agriculture, public health, and infrastructure engineering to amplify research impact
- Academic Expansion: Launching innovative programs in data science, development studies, and disaster management catering to 21st-century needs
- Enhanced Pedagogy: Mainstreaming online and blended learning modes to improve learning outcomes and equitable access
- Partnerships: Building international collaboration networks, and public-private partnerships to spur teaching & research innovation
- Transformed Lives: Expanding flagship community outreach campaigns on digital literacy, health awareness, and skill-based livelihoods
Through its student-centric, innovation-driven, and socially responsive approach guided by distinguished academics and visionary leadership, Pokhara University is sure to transform more lives and uplift communities in the years ahead.
By continuously aligning academic goals with contemporary needs, focusing both on depth of scholarship and breadth of access, Pokhara University aims to emerge as a world-class university with its unique identity and far-reaching influence.
Conclusion: Pokhara University’s Role in Shaping Nepal’s Future
As Nepal’s first regional public university, Pokhara University ushered in a new era of decentralized education to unlock human capital and spur social progress beyond the capital area.
Over 25 years, it has blossomed into a nationally acclaimed institution advancing intellectual inquiry, nurturing young talent, and uplifting local communities in the western provinces of Nepal.
With a comprehensive portfolio of programs, stellar academic credentials, enterprising research culture, and profound community engagement, PU has established itself as a leading force in Nepali higher education.
At the heart of PU's identity is its unrelenting focus on quality, inclusion, and service guided by the principles of access, autonomy, and accountability. The university strives to nourish curious minds to think critically, seek solutions creatively, and lead compassionately.
As the nation charts its federalized future, PU remains committed to dismantling barriers to learning through its wide outreach, targeted scholarships, and localized research. It continues to advance pedagogical innovations to develop human capital equipped for the 21st century.
By shaping dynamic leaders and empowered citizens via holistic education grounded in human values, Pokhara University continues to transform lives across communities, energize intellectual progress, and enlighten society to build a prosperous Nepal.
