Purbanchal University Approves Rs 1.99B Budget, AI Focus
Kathmandu: Purbanchal University has approved a budget of Rs 1,991,697,000, approximately Rs 1.99 billion, for fiscal year 2083/84.
The university’s 43rd Senate meeting, held at the Ministry of Education and Sports in Singha Durbar under the chairmanship of Pro-Chancellor and Education and Sports Minister Sasmit Pokharel, unanimously approved the income and expenditure statement along with the policies and programs presented by Registrar Prof. Dr. Panna Thapa.
Official records of Purbanchal University list Prof. Dr. Panna Thapa as its registrar, while the Ministry of Education and Sports lists Sasmit Pokharel as the current minister.
The approved policies and programs give priority to academic transformation, technology-based services and infrastructure development, and the expansion of medical education.
The university plans to develop integrated physical infrastructure at its Gothgaun campus in accordance with its master plan. Earlier government and public records have also stated that the university has 805 bighas of land at Gothgaun.
New Curricula in AI, Data Science and Cybersecurity
The university plans to develop and introduce new and specialized curricula in areas including artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and cybersecurity.
It has also adopted a policy of developing specialized curricula in medicine and engineering. According to the university, the aim is to align academic programs with changing technologies, research, and workforce requirements.
The policies and programs also include plans to operate administrative and academic services through an integrated digital system. The university aims to make service delivery easier, more transparent, and technology-based through the system.
Plan to Complete 100-Bed Maternal and Child Hospital
In medical education, the university plans to complete the 100-bed maternal and child hospital currently under construction at the Gothgaun campus.
The university has also proposed strengthening the quality of medical education through cooperation with Koshi Hospital. Medical and health sciences programs have been operating at Gothgaun, where the office of the university’s Faculty of Medical Sciences is also located.
Addressing the Senate, Education and Sports Minister Pokharel said higher education needs to improve in response to technological development and global changes. He said universities should prepare students not only to seek employment but also to become entrepreneurial human resources capable of creating employment.
He also directed the university to define a clear action plan, responsibilities, and timelines for implementing the approved policies and programs.
Research Center and International Collaboration Planned
The university also plans to establish a specialized research center focusing on climate change and disaster risk reduction.
The policies and programs include plans to conduct joint degree and student exchange programs with foreign universities and expand access to inclusive scholarships for students from disadvantaged groups.
Education and Sports Secretary Chudamani Paudel told the meeting that attention should be given to improving the academic system alongside effective implementation of the budget.
Finance Secretary Dr. Ghanshyam Upadhyay also presented his views on the proposed budget and policies and programs.
The meeting was also attended by Shailendra Jha, chief adviser to the Education and Sports Minister, vice-chancellors of various universities, and ministry officials.
Three Members Nominated to Executive Council
The Senate also decided to nominate three members to the university’s Executive Council for three-year terms.
From among the deans, Prof. Dr. Paricha Upadhyay Dhungel, Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, and Prof. Dr. Krishna Prasad Pandey, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Law and Education, were nominated.
From among the teaching faculty, Prof. Mohan Bahadur Basnet, who works at the Purbanchal University School of Management in Biratnagar, was nominated, according to the university.
The university’s official medical sciences website also identifies Prof. Dr. Paricha Upadhyay as dean of the faculty.
Through the approved budget, policies, and programs, Purbanchal University plans to focus its activities for fiscal year 2083/84 on academic quality, research, technology-based services, medical education, and institutional management.
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