Introduction
Situated in Dhulikhel Municipality, about 30 kilometres east of Kathmandu city, Kathmandu University (KU) is one of Nepal’s most respected and forward-looking institutions of higher education. Founded in 1991 through private initiative under an Act of Parliament, KU was built on a simple but powerful motto: Quality Education for Leadership.
What began modestly in a rented building in Tangal, Kathmandu, has grown into a fully-fledged autonomous university with seven schools, over 21,000 students, a dedicated teaching hospital, a national technology innovation centre, and academic partnerships spanning the globe. With year-round pleasant weather and breathtaking views of the Himalayan range, the Dhulikhel campus offers a learning environment that is as inspiring as the education delivered within it.
Quick Facts at a Glance
- Official Name: Kathmandu University (KU) — काठमाण्डौ विश्वविद्यालय
- Type: Public, Autonomous University
- Established: 1991
- Location: Dhulikhel, Bagmati Province, Nepal
- Campus Size: ~44 acres (17.88 ha) main campus
- Chancellor: Prime Minister of Nepal
- Vice-Chancellor: Dr. Achyut Wagle (appointed March 2025)
- Academic Staff: 1,423 (544 teaching + 879 non-teaching)
- Total Students: 21,000+
- Schools: 7 (Arts, Education, Engineering, Law, Management, Medical Sciences, Science)
- Endowment: Rs. 301 million (~USD $2 million)
- Motto: Quality Education for Leadership
- Silver Jubilee Year: 2016
- Official Website: www.ku.edu.np
History & Background
The roots of Kathmandu University trace back to August 1985, when a Kathmandu Valley Campus was established with academic affiliation to Tribhuvan University. The vision of an independent, quality-focused institution took shape over the following years, and in December 1991, Kathmandu University was formally established under an Act of Parliament.
The first Senate Meeting was presided over by the then Prime Minister and Chancellor, Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala. Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma was appointed the first Vice-Chancellor, and the university set about building its academic foundations from the ground up.
Through the 1990s, KU expanded rapidly — launching graduate programs, granting affiliations to medical colleges for MBBS programs, establishing the School of Education, and bringing on partner colleges across the country. By 2016, when the university celebrated its Silver Jubilee, it had firmly established itself as a pioneer in Nepali higher education, having introduced many programs — including Business Administration, Pharmacy, Environmental Science, Biotechnology, Computer Engineering, and Geomatics Engineering — for the first time in Nepal.
On the occasion of its Silver Jubilee, the university launched Vision 2030, a strategic document pledging continued thrust in quality, innovation, equity, identity, global impact, and engagement.
“Quality Education for Leadership — developing competent, ethical, and socially responsible leaders who contribute to the progress and prosperity of Nepal and the world.” — Motto & Mission of Kathmandu University
Schools & Academic Programs
Kathmandu University organises its academic offerings across seven schools, covering a wide range of disciplines from engineering and medicine to arts, law, and indigenous education. Programs are offered at Bachelor’s, Master’s, MPhil, and PhD levels.
1. School of Engineering (SoE) One of KU’s flagship schools, offering programs in Civil Engineering (with specialisation in Hydropower), Computer Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Geomatics Engineering, and the newly introduced Mining Engineering. It is widely regarded as one of the best engineering schools in Nepal.
2. School of Science (SoS) Offers programs in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Environmental Science, Biotechnology, and Human Biology. KU was among the first universities in Nepal to introduce postgraduate programs in these fields.
3. School of Management (SoM) Delivers BBA, MBA, and other management programs with a focus on entrepreneurship, leadership, and practical business skills suited to Nepal’s evolving economy.
4. School of Medical Sciences (SoMs) Home to KU’s MBBS program and affiliated medical colleges, including a dedicated KU Teaching Hospital, Mental Health Research Centre, and Naturopathy Hospital. KU medical graduates are trained for both national and international practice.
5. School of Education (SoEd) Offers postgraduate and in-service teacher education programs, including a pioneering One-Year Master’s in Indigenous Education and Development (MIED) — the first such program in Nepal — and an M.Ed. in School Counseling.
6. School of Arts (SoA) Covers Development Studies, Social Work, Media Studies, Music, Arts and Design, Landscape Management and Heritage Studies, and the newly introduced Master’s in Writing and Literacy Studies.
7. School of Law (SoL) Offers programs in law with specialisations including Masters in Energy and Infrastructure Law and Masters in Economics — addressing Nepal’s growing need for legal professionals in the infrastructure and energy sectors.
Campus Life & Environment
Kathmandu University’s main campus in Dhulikhel is set against a mountainous landscape with a round-the-year pleasant climate and sweeping panoramic views of the Himalayas. The campus has grown from a modest beginning into a built-up space of over 35,000 square metres, housing academic blocks, laboratories, libraries, sports facilities, hostels, and administrative buildings.
Each school maintains its own Teacher Welfare Society, Student Welfare Council, and Staff Welfare Society — ensuring that academic, personal, and professional wellbeing are built into the fabric of university life. The KU High School, Confucius Institutes, and a digital library (KU Digital Repository) further enrich the campus ecosystem.
The university is approximately 30 kilometres from Kathmandu city, well-connected by road, and offers students a peaceful, focused environment away from the bustle of the capital while remaining close enough for easy access.
Research & Innovation
Research and innovation are central pillars of Kathmandu University’s identity. In October 2023, the KU National Technology Innovation Centre (KUNTIC) was formally inaugurated by the President of Nepal, Mr. Ram Chandra Poudel, in the presence of the Ambassador of South Korea — signalling KU’s ambitions as a hub of national and international technological development.
KU also hosts a Joint Doctoral Program (JDP) at the PhD level in partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IITH) — one of the most significant academic research partnerships in the region. Other recent milestones include:
- A dual-degree program MoU with Australia’s Crown Institute of Higher Education (CIHE)
- A Buddhist Studies MoU with the Thrangu Vajrayana Buddhist Center in Hong Kong
- Inauguration of the KU Teaching Hospital, Mental Health Research Centre, and Hospital Outreach Centre in Panchkhal
- Groundbreaking of a Yogic Science and Well-Being Academic Block in Chaukot
These developments reflect KU’s commitment to research that crosses disciplinary and national boundaries, addressing everything from Himalayan glaciology to mental health, energy law, and indigenous knowledge.
Pioneering Programs in Nepal
Kathmandu University has a proud record of introducing programs to Nepal for the very first time. Among its pioneering contributions:
- Business Administration (BBA/MBA)
- Pharmacy
- Environmental Science
- Biotechnology
- Human Biology
- Mechanical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Geomatics Engineering
- Development Studies
- Social Work
- Technical Education
- Media Studies
- Civil Engineering with Specialisation in Hydropower
- Landscape Management and Heritage Studies
- Doctor of Medicine (DM) in Gastroenterology
- DM in Neurology
- MS by Research in Glaciology
- Master’s in Indigenous Education and Development
This track record of academic firsts demonstrates KU’s role not just as a teaching institution, but as a builder of Nepal’s intellectual and professional landscape.
Vision 2030 & the Future
At its Silver Jubilee in 2016, Kathmandu University launched Vision 2030 — Silver Jubilee Initiatives, a forward-looking development framework built on six pillars: Quality, Innovation, Equity, Identity, Impact, and Global Engagement. A decade into that journey, the university has delivered on many of its promises and continues to expand.
Key priorities going forward include:
- Expanding research infrastructure through KUNTIC and international academic partnerships
- Growing health sciences capacity with the KU Teaching Hospital and new medical specialisations
- Deepening global engagement through dual degree programs, student exchanges, and joint doctoral programs
- Advancing equity by developing programs in indigenous education, social work, and community health
- Strengthening law and governance education through energy law, infrastructure law, and economics programs tailored to Nepal’s development needs
With a growing academic staff, an expanding campus, and a reputation for producing leaders across every sector of Nepali society, Kathmandu University is on course to fulfil its founding promise — and then some.
Why Choose Kathmandu University?
- One of Nepal’s most respected and research-active universities, established 1991
- Seven schools covering engineering, science, medicine, management, arts, law, and education
- Pioneer of 20+ academic programs introduced for the first time in Nepal
- Dedicated Teaching Hospital, Mental Health Research Centre, and National Technology Innovation Centre
- Joint PhD program with IIT Hyderabad and dual-degree programs with Australian institutions
- Scenic, peaceful campus in Dhulikhel with panoramic Himalayan views
- Active student welfare councils in every school
- Strong industry linkages and a track record of producing Nepal’s top professionals
For admissions, programs, scholarships, and campus information, visit the official website at www.ku.edu.np