INTRODUCTION

Kathmandu University is being developed as a residential institution of high academic standards in Nepal. The architects of Kathmandu Unversity have envisaged it as a truly national institution of higher learning. Scholars of outstanding merit have undertaken the challenge to create a quality institution that will cater to the country's needs. The university gives expression to the peoples' will to raise the national consciousness by imparting quality education to its students who can be assets to the nation.

The University will offer courses leading to degrees in Humanities, Management, Science, Engineering and Teacher Education. The courses are designed to stimulate the intellectual curiosity and scholarly interests of students so that they become proficient in their chosen subjects and competent in practice. Committed faculty members with impeccable credentials will lead this process as catalysts of the university to make it a centre of academic excellence. It is with this view that His Majesty's Government of Nepal approved the creation of Kathmandu University through an Act of Parliament.

CONSTITUTION

A council or senate is the apex and fully authorized body governing the University. An Excutive Committee or Syndicate carries out Senate decisions and policy implementation. Similarly, an Academic Council has been formed to function as a focal body in matters of educational and aca-demic concerns.

The University has the following authorities:

a. Chancellor

b. Pro-Chancellor

c. Vice-Chancellor

d. Registrar

e. Deans

f. Other office bearers

Major educational programmes of the university will be conducted by the schools of Science, Engineering, Humanities, Management and Teacher Education.

In the context of establishing Kathmandu Unversity, adequate legal provision has been made to au-thorize the university to formulate its own rules and regulations of its policies and programmes relating to organization, administration, personnel and issues concerning academics.

The University has been established in the non-governmental sector as a national initiative and it has the following funding mechanism in order to operate as public institution:

LOCATION

The university site is centrally located between the towns of Dhulikhel and Banepa about 26 km from Kathmandu on about 13 hectars of open land (260 ropanies). The twin towns of Dhulikhel and Banepa can accommodate a great number of students and grow up as university towns. They have a pleasing and peaceful environment to support the educational atmosphere and joy of learn-ing. The snow covered Himalayan range from Annapurna to Mt. Everest provide a visual back-ground to the university site. Around the site, forest development has successfully been implemented rendering easy access to possible environmental studies.

Banepa and Dhulikhel are ancient trade posts en route to Tibet and the area is abundant with cultural activity and ancient sites of religious and historical significance.

The university site is situated on three hill tops encircling the three main components of the university. The academic setup, teachers' living quarters and students' accommodation are all planned with proper privacy for each to function.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES

Academic programmes at the graduate and post graduate level will be oriented on research, while those at the lower levels will be linked to the world of work having vocational character. The programmes will be organized in the following schools:

(1) School of Science

This school will offer three to four year long bachelor/honors degree courses in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and Pharmacy. Research based Master degree courses lasting one to two years will also be offered. The School will continue to offer its ISc Programme.

(2) School of Engineering

This school will initially offer four years long bachelor degree courses in Electrical/Electronic Engineering and Mechanical Engineering studies. Diploma level vocational courses of shorter duration will also be offered in these subjects.

(3) School of Humanities

This school will offer three to four long bachelor/honours degree courses in Literature, Economics, Urban and Cultural Studies, Nepalese Studies, and Music. This school will also support the School of Management and other schools in their preparatory offerings. Research besed master level courses will also be offered in some selected subjects.

(4) School of Management

This school will offer a Master degree course in Business Administration. Also some courses of shorter duration in the form of training programmes will be offered.

The School also offers a one year PRE-MBA programme. This programme prepares candidates holding Bachelor's Degree of two years duration for their entry into the MBA programme.

(5) School of Education

This school will offer a three years bachelor degree course and one years postgraduate degree course in teacher education to prepare teachers and headmasters for primary and secondary level education.