Introduction

Set up in 1959, Tribhuvan University (TU),  a pioneering  institution of higher education in Nepal,   named after late King Tribhuvan,  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 is  the Chancellor of the University while  Minister of Education  is the Pro-Chancellor. The Vice Chancellor is the principal executive of the university. He is assisted by  Rector in academic programs and Registrar in  financial management and general administration.

Tribhuvan University,  a non-profit making 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.

Five decision-making bodies of Tribhuvan University

• University Council: is the supreme decision-making body  on policies, budget, and rules and regulations for running the university. It consists of 52 members.

• Executive Council:  implements operational decisions. It makes decisions on grants, affiliation to private campuses, and appointments of university officials. It's a 7 membered body.

• Academic Council:  makes decisions on policies and practices regarding curricula, teaching, examinations and research. It consists of 50 members.

• 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 for teachers.

• Planning Council:  has an advisory role of preparing plans (long and short-term), developing annual programmes and evaluating programme implementation. It consists of 29 members.

Academic Programmes

Tribhuvan University that marked its golden throughout the year 2009, organizing various programmes. Towards the 51^st year of establishment of Tribhuvan University together with full dedication, all the family members of T.U. are determined to further strive to do their best to become the source to promote peace, quality education and culture over the nation and the world.

During its 51 years' long journey, the state owned university has expanded its programmes in different disciplines. There are five technical institutes and four general faculties, which offer 300 courses at certificate, 1079 courses at bachelor's and 1000 courses at master's level.Currently, the total courses offered by the university number more than 2400.Both technical institutes and general faculties offer Ph.D programmes different disciplines.

Prior to 1980 TU offered the courses through its constituent campuses only.With the increasing number of students interested in joining 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 programmes at different levels. 732 private colleges, spread all over the country, have so far received TU affiliation.

In the academic session(2010-2011) there are altogether 369880 students enrolled at the various levels  of TU academic programmes.The majority of the students(50.52%-186880) belongs to its 60 constituent campuses and 37 central departments, while the remaining(49.8%-183000) study at the 732 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 7950 teaching faculty members and 7122 non-teaching staff including support staff in its constituent campuses.The number of total staff is 15072.