Dr. Deepak Aryal Appointed as Vice-Chancellor of Tribhuvan University
Professor Dr. Deepak Aryal has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Tribhuvan University. The appointment was made by Prime Minister and Chancellor of the University, KP Sharma Oli.
Dr. Aryal, who formerly served as the Head of the Central Department of Hydrology and Meteorology at TU, was sworn in on Wednesday at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar.
Academic Background and Experience
Dr. Aryal is the eldest son of the late Bhairav Aryal, a well-known satirist and literary figure of Nepal. He joined Tribhuvan University in 1995 and has since remained associated with the Central Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.
He began his academic career in 1995 as a Teaching Assistant and was promoted to Associate Professor, then to full Professor in 2019. From 2016 to 2024, he served as the Head of the Department. He holds extensive academic and research experience along with strong administrative capabilities.
In 1997, he completed his Master’s in Meteorology with first-class first from TU and received the Mahendra Vidya Bhushan 'B' medal from the then King.
Educational Journey and Awards
In 2000, Dr. Aryal pursued a Master's in Atmospheric Science under the Monbukagakusho scholarship at Nagoya University, Japan. He later completed his Ph.D. in Meteorology from Tribhuvan University in 2016. For his doctoral work, he received the Nepal Vidya Bhushan 'A' medal from the President of Nepal.
Research, Publications, and International Engagement
Dr. Aryal is a recognized climate scientist with a focus on extreme weather events, air pollution dynamics, and mountain weather systems. He has published over 35 research papers in national and international journals.
In 2021, he was appointed as an academician of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST). He has collaborated with global institutions such as National Geographic Society and Rolex on high-altitude weather stations up to 8,800 meters in the Everest region.
He is currently leading collaborative projects with France’s IRD for glacier monitoring. His leadership also helped the department secure Quality Assurance and Accreditation (QAA) status from the University Grants Commission.
Partnerships and Curriculum Contributions
During his tenure, he signed MoUs with reputed institutions including Utah State University (USA), University of Saskatchewan (Canada), and the Integrated Center for Mountain Development. He also founded the academic journal Jalabayu and served as its editor-in-chief.
Dr. Aryal has supervised numerous Ph.D. and Master’s level research scholars, contributing significantly to academic mentorship.
Vision for Tribhuvan University
Tribhuvan University is spread across 77 districts, comprising 157 academic units including 64 constituent campuses and 44 central departments. Dr. Aryal has outlined key reform priorities for the university.
Curriculum Reform
He aims to revise outdated curricula that have remained unchanged for decades. Referring to his experience in Japan, he highlighted how their university revised courses multiple times within 25 years. He plans to initiate curriculum modernization at TU.
Internationalization
Dr. Aryal seeks to introduce internationalization by inviting foreign students and professors. His goal is to have at least 1% foreign enrollment (around 4,000 students) by the end of his tenure. He believes this will enhance research collaboration and global exposure.
Strengthening Research
He plans to transform TU into a research-oriented institution. Recognizing that domestic funding is insufficient, he intends to work with international donors and universities. Infrastructure improvements in hostels, libraries, and cafeterias are also on his agenda.
Challenges Ahead
Dr. Aryal acknowledges that implementing reforms will face institutional resistance such as strikes, lockouts, and political interference. Even during his appointment, student unions attempted to obstruct the university’s functioning.
Despite these hurdles, he has committed to addressing legitimate demands and ensuring the smooth operation of the university.
Support and Responsibilities
Academic leaders have expressed optimism while emphasizing the challenges of managing such a large institution. Former Vice-Chancellor Kedar Bhakta Mathema stressed the need to shield TU from political interference and called for reforms through structural changes such as a Board of Trustees model.
Dr. Aryal officially assumed office on Wednesday following his oath from Chancellor KP Sharma Oli. He took charge at the Vice-Chancellor's office in Kirtipur.
As Tribhuvan University grapples with outdated systems and operational inefficiencies, Dr. Aryal's academic and research-focused leadership is expected to bring data-driven, progressive changes. His track record of international collaboration and curriculum innovation offers a solid foundation to steer TU into a more globally competitive and academically robust future.
Tribhuvan University