1st June 2025, Kathmandu
A high-level delegation from the Federal Parliament’s House of Representatives, specifically the Education, Health, and Information Technology Committee, concluded a two-day field visit to the Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology (MBUST) in Chitlang, Makwanpur.
Federal Parliament Members Conduct Field Visit
The visit, held from May 30-31, 2025 (Jestha 16-17, 2081 B.S.), focused on observing academic and research activities and fostering interaction with the university’s faculty and students.
The delegation was led by Committee Chairperson Hon. Ammar Bahadur Thapa and included Hon. Devendra Poudel, Hon. Chhabilal Bishwakarma, Hon. Mahendra Kumar Raya, Hon. Ram Prakash Chaudhary, Hon. Sarita Bhusal, and Hon. Gyanu Basnet Subedi.
Key Observations and Interactions
During their visit, the parliamentary members toured various advanced research laboratories at MBUST, including those dedicated to digital technology, mushroom cultivation, plant pathology, organic and natural resources, and sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
University coordinators Dr. Bhushan Shrestha, Dr. Sabina Shrestha, Dr. Anupama Shrestha, Dr. Sarbesh Das Dangol, Dr. Kishor Timilsina, and Dr. Rajib Subba provided detailed insights into the ongoing research activities within their respective departments.
Leadership Presentations and Student Research
MBUST Vice President Padma Sundar Joshi welcomed the delegates, while Director Dr. Kirti Kusum Joshi offered a comprehensive briefing on the university’s academic programs. A highlight of the visit was the presentation of research findings by postgraduate and doctoral-level students, covering diverse fields such as digital technology, organic agriculture, forest-based bio-resources, and sustainable infrastructure.
Strategic Vision and Policy Recommendations
MBUST Chairperson Rajendra Dhwaj Joshi delivered a pivotal presentation titled “Policy Support for Developing MBUST as a World-Class Institution.” He underscored the critical need for robust policy backing from all societal sectors to elevate the university to global standards. Emphasizing research as the bedrock of national development, he drew parallels to the historical presence of great universities in the Himalayan region.
Chairperson Joshi put forth several key policy reform proposals:
Allocation of research grants for durations of 4–5 years.
A minimum of 0.4% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is to be allocated for research.
An additional 0.4% of GDP is to be dedicated specifically to higher education.
Prioritization of postgraduate and doctoral students for research funding.
He highlighted that MBUST currently provides a monthly research stipend of up to NPR 30,000, enabling students to concentrate fully on their studies, and noted that the university has disbursed over NPR 15 million through donor contributions to date.
Further recommendations from Chairperson Joshi included:
Legal provisions mandate that companies with annual transactions exceeding NPR 150 million allocate at least 1% of net profit towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Tax exemption for foreign donations to the university, mirroring the model used for Yogmaya University.
Crucial reforms within the current system and values of Nepal are needed to facilitate the establishment of truly world-class institutions.
Remarks from Parliamentary Members
Hon. Devendra Poudel, former Minister for Education, Science, and Technology, commended MBUST’s rapid progress in infrastructure and research. Reflecting on earlier criticisms during the university’s establishment, he cited national poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota’s inspiring words, “Why aim for less when you can touch the moon?” He expressed confidence in the university’s potential to assist the Nepal Government in formulating national research policy and urged MBUST to continue producing skilled graduates who connect knowledge with innovation and national development.
Hon. Chhabilal Bishwakarma lauded the university’s commitment, advocating for government motivation and support for researchers. He noted the inspirational impact of the visit on the delegation and praised MBUST’s clear mission-oriented approach.
Faculty members utilized the opportunity to voice concerns about the poor condition of the access road to Chitlang, specifically the Ganesh Man Singh Highway, appealing to the honorable members to address the issue for improved travel safety and accessibility.
Closing Remarks
Committee Chairperson Hon. Ammar Bahadur Thapa concluded the visit by praising MBUST’s work. He called for efforts to modernize agriculture and ensure that the university’s policies and research programs directly benefit ordinary citizens, emphasizing that MBUST’s initiatives should serve as models for other universities. He urged students to focus on utilizing their knowledge within Nepal rather than seeking employment abroad, and to strive to make their research accessible and impactful at the grassroots level.
For more: Federal Parliament Members Conduct Field Visit