Bhola Thapa’s next challenge after KU success is fixing Tribhuvan University

Professor Bhola Thapa, PhD, has taken on the role of Vice Chancellor at Tribhuvan University (TU), Nepal's largest institution of higher learning. Thapa brings a wealth of experience from his previous tenure as Vice Chancellor of Kathmandu University (KU), where he focused on engineering education, hydropower technology, and energy research.

His appointment at TU signals a new era for the university, with a mandate to implement significant reforms. Thapa's career began in government service after completing his bachelor's degree in engineering. He later transitioned to academia, joining KU as an assistant professor through open competition and subsequently earning his master's and PhD degrees there. His research delved into turbine runners and sand-particle erosion in hydraulic machinery.

During his time at KU, Thapa progressed through various academic and administrative positions, including professor, assistant dean, executive dean, and registrar, before being appointed Vice Chancellor in January 2021. He navigated KU through the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the integration of Nepal's traditional knowledge and skills with modern scientific education. His initiatives included launching teacher training programs to address a shortage of qualified educators and introducing undergraduate courses in yoga and Bachelor's in Craft and Design to preserve traditional skills.

Thapa also focused on internationalizing KU's offerings, attracting foreign students, and establishing joint programs with international institutions like IIT Madras. He believes Nepal has the potential to become a global education hub. With over three decades in education, his leadership at KU emphasized academic development, research, and international collaboration, leading to the engineering faculty receiving Quality Assurance and Accreditation (QAA). Now at TU, his challenge is to apply this experience to revitalize the nation's flagship university.