Introduction

Set up in 1959, Tribhuvan University (TU) is a pioneering institution of higher education in Nepal. Named after the late King Tribhuvan, TU is situated in Kirtipur, a small ancient town located five kilometers away from downtown Kathmandu. Following the recent second democratic movement Prime Minister of Nepal has become the Chancellor of the University while Minister of Education is the Pro-Chancellor. Vice Chancellor is the principal executive of the university, who is assisted by Rector in academic programs and Registrar in financial management and general administration. Tribhuvan University, a non-profit autonomous institution, is financed mainly by the Government of Nepal.

Objectives of Tribhuvan University:

· To produce skilled manpower essential for the overall development of Nepal;

· To preserve and develop historical and cultural heritage of the nation;

· To accumulate, advance and disseminate knowledge; and

· To encourage and promote research in arts, science, medicine, engineering, agriculture, management and education as well as in the vocational fields.

Tribhuvan University has five decision-making bodies:

University Council: is the supreme decision-making body on policies, budget, and rules and regulations for running the university.

Executive Council: implements operational decisions. It makes decisions on grants, affiliation to private campuses, and appointments of university officials.

Academic Council: makes decisions on policies and practices regarding curricula, teaching, examinations and research.

Research Coordination Council: formulates policies on TU research activities, approves guidelines for researchers and coordinates the functions of university level research organizations. Research Division is the secretariat of the council which publishes Tribhuvan University Journal, Research Bulletin and Statistical Bulletin. Besides, it conducts mini-researches by TU teachers as well.

Planning Council: has an advisory role of preparing plans (long and short-term) developing annual programs and evaluating program implementation.

Academic Programs:

During its 49 years long journey, the state owned university has expanded its programs in different disciplines. There are five technical institutes and four general faculties, which offer 300 courses at certificate, 1079 courses at bachelors and 1000 courses at master?s levels. Currently, the total courses offered by the university number more than 2400. Both technical institutes and general faculties offer Ph.D. programs in different disciplines.

Prior to 1980, TU offered the courses through its constituent campuses only. With the increasing number of students interested in joining the Tribhuvan University, there was a necessity of establishing colleges in the private sector because the constituent campuses of the university alone could not cater to the demand of the nation. So from 1979–80 onward TU started providing affiliation to private colleges to conduct various programs at different levels. 561 private colleges, spread all over the country, have so far received TU affiliations.

In the academic session (2008-09) there are altogether 2, 90,833 students enrolled at the various levels of TU academic programs. The majority of the students (59% - 1, 71,592) belongs to its 60 constituent campuses and 37 central departments while the remaining (41% - 1, 19,241) study at the 561 affiliated colleges. It shows that population of students in constituent campuses is very high. This is because of the low tuition fees and easy access.

Tribhuvan University has 7,049 teaching faculty members and 5607 non-teaching staffs including support staff in its constituent campuses.

Prof. Dr. Madhab Prasad Sharma

Vice-Chancellor

Tribhuvan University

Central Administrative Building

P.O.Box 8212

Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal

Phone: (977-1) 4330433

Fax: (977-1) 4331964

Email:vcoffice@healthnet.org.np

Prof. Dr. Soorya Lal Amatya

Rector

Tribhuvan University

Central Administrative Building

P.O.Box 8212

Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal

Phone: (977-1) 4330336

Fax: (977-1) 4331964

Email:vcoffice@healthnet.org.np

Prof.Dr. Bhima Raj Adhikaree

Registrar

Tribhuvan University

Central Administrative Building

P.O.Box 8212

Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal

Phone: (977-1) 4330436

Fax: (977-1) 4331964

Email:vcoffice@healthnet.org.np