Twenty-one Pulchowk graduates join Airbus this year

Twenty-one students from Tribhuvan University’s Institute of Engineering (IOE) at Pulchowk Campus have begun international careers at Airbus, the aerospace manufacturer's Bangalore center in India. These graduates are currently undergoing orientation and initial training.

Airbus uses its Indian city as an entry point for new engineers across Asia. Nepali graduates start their careers there before being assigned to projects elsewhere. Associate professor Sudip Bhattarai noted that graduates from the program have been joining Airbus regularly in recent years. This year's 21 hires bring the total number of Nepali graduates joining the company over the past three years to about 44.

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This year, 21 students have been selected. They have already arrived in Bangalore and started work. Graduates from our programme have been joining Airbus regularly in recent years.

The Pulchowk Campus launched Nepal's first Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering program in 2018. The inaugural batch graduated in 2023, and since then, Airbus has recruited graduates annually. While interest in the program has grown, with 48 students admitted each year, the department faces a shortage of qualified faculty. Despite having four permanent teaching positions, only one is filled, with contract faculty and experts from aviation companies filling the gaps.

Airbus initially coordinated directly with the department, but the hiring process is now more structured. Selected graduates receive training in Bangalore, with Airbus covering expenses. They are then assigned to projects globally based on operational needs. The department's growing international recognition is a testament to its program, though faculty recruitment remains a challenge.

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International companies have be