BE in Civil Engineering is the field that has been said to be with less challenges in terms of finding a job in context of Nepal compared to other fields of Engineering. The large scope of construction, urbanization and re-construction along with survey of the damgaed monuments and residences after the mega-eartquake of 2015 has made it a preferable career to opt into.
Bachelor of Civil Engineering (BE Civil) is a four-year, eight semester program. Currently, the program is offered by Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu University, Purbanchal University, Pokhara University, Mid-Western University in Nepal and Far-Western University.
14 Engineering Colleges of Nepal offer Bachelor of Civil Engineering (BE Civil) course with affiliation from Tribhuvan University. Total number of BE Civil seats at TU is 1,369. The total seats offered by the Purbanchal University School of Engineering and Technology (PUSET) is 96. Tweleve Engineering Colleges of Nepal offers Bachelor of Civil Engineering (BE Civil) course with affiliation from Pokhara University. Total number of seats at Pokhara University for BE Civil Engineering is 844. The number of seats provided by Kathmandu University all over Nepal is 60. Far-Western University has 48 seats in BE Civil program.
Students’ Perspective
Prateek Bhusal was a student of civil engineering and currently works in a project. He got into this field partially by his interest and partially by the parents’ interest. He says that civil engineering has quite a scope in Nepal compared to other fields of Engineering and he keeps getting involved in quite a few projects.
Name : Prateek Bhushal
Degree: BE in civil Engineering
College : Advanced College of Engineering and Management
Current Status: currently working under a project funded by UNICEF for the construction of schools at earthquake affected areas of Sindhupalchowk.
What were your processes or influences to choosing Civil Engineering?
As far as my journey to choosing engineering for bachelors is concerned, I basically chose it because of interest towards mathematics and of course a dream of my parents to see me working as an engineer, civil engineer, to be precise. So I never studied biology after I completed my SLC as my sole focus was to be an engineer.
How did do your entrance preparation?
After my plus two went over, as everyone, I joined PEA for the entrance preparation course. 6AM-10AM, it was not a bad schedule for an early awaking students unlike me. So, PEA was just a tag for me to explain others about where do I study the course. It was self-study by which I thought I could prepare better for my entrance exam. So, later on I left rushing down to PEA and started studying at home. 5 to 7 hours a day on average; I dedicated this time duration for my preparation. Entrance exam went average and I got admitted in ACEM.
Tell us about your perspective on the course of BE in Civil Engineering?
Regarded as the toughest engineering course in South Asia, course provided by Tribhuvan University is really bulky and time is very limited. 8 subjects in each semester, 3 unit tests of each, weekly lab report, viva at the end, assignments which carries internal marks, etc will surely make you feel like a loaded donkey. But with the time, you can cope up with it. As a plus two student, who studied just 5 subjects in one whole year with liking for Nepali and English subjects, with so many options to choose in final examination paper, will surely feel engineering hard at first as you won’t get any sort of options in any exam paper. If you are an average student, back papers will get common. Your major task will be to clear the engineering within 4 years. 2-3 back papers are normal as you can cope up, but piling up the back papers will cause serious troubles. Overall, with the time one can easily cope up and course can get easier.
What are the prospects of jobs and job-hunting? How hard it is to get the first work experience as a fresher?
Due to the recent mega-earthquake, civil engineers are highly demanded professionals in our country. Much work is still to be done and many projects are running. Equal amount of personnel are needed by consultancies, NGO, INGO and government. I can’t say the same about other fields of engineering, but undoubtedly, civil engineers are highly demanded. Freshers are supposed to train themselves first by internship and training available from organizations and are then selected for the job. With time, hard work and opportunities, one can be a reputed engineer. Hurdles are comparatively less in civil engineering than other engineering fields in Nepal. Of course, student who studied in foreign have higher chances to gain job in better position as we lack better master’s course here. Thus, engineering is to be chosen if you really have the capacity and energy to cope up with any hurdles as once it is chosen, u have chosen the way of your life.
Sangita Thapa was a Biology student. She tried for MBBS exams and was not in a postion to study paid course despite of the keen interest to be a future doctor. So, she opted for BE Civil. Here is what she has to say about her path to choosing BE Civil program.
Name: Sangita Thapa
Degree: BE in civil Engineering
College : Thapathali campus
Current Status: currently working in reconstruction project
Actually I was a Biology Student. Due to limited scholarship seats in MBBS and unaffordable fee structure for the middle class student, I could not make my way through it. It wasn’t any pressure from my parents or relatives to study engineering but I myself found engineering as an alternative. At the beginning, I had no any idea regarding engineering field. It was a friend of mine who suggested me to join Civil engineering as it has broad scope in the developing country like ours. That is why I’m here today.
Saying about preparation level for entrance, I, myself being Bio student during that time, I didn’t set aside my time for engineering entrance preparation. I was fully concerned with MBBS entrance preparation .Besides Mathematics and Drawing, Physics and Chemistry being common subject for Engineering and MBBS, I found BE entrance somewhat easy for me.
Talking about my BE journey, I’ve completed my BE from Thapathali Campus which has a vast different environment than plus2 environment. It was bit more freedom there for me. So bunking classes, not completing the assignments on time, being late in classes were frequent. Inspite of all these, this journey with classmates was very memorable and got completed as a regular student. As I come to think of it, BE course is not as tough. If we become little more sincere and follow the syllabus, then we can do a lot.
Basic problems what I faced during BE was :irregular classes, untimely completion of courses, lack of co-ordination between teachers and students, strikes of students political union and unrevised syllabus of BE from very long period.
Regarding the process of job hunting : Starting level job can be found out easily if you have some basic trainings like Acad, SAP, GIS, etc to work in consultancies. But to go for NGOS/INGOS, either you must have some close links with the related people or you must be highly competent along with work experience for some years. Only few candidates are eligible for government jobs every year due to poor governmental policies. That’s why many students flew abroad for further studies and good opportunities.
Currently I’m involved in Earthquake Housing Reconstruction Project, District level Project Implementation Unit under MOFALD. It is the contracted job assigned for fixed time period and for this job, I’ve passed the exam taken by MOFALD.
Though there is ample opportunity for civil engineers after disastrous earthquake of 12thBaisakh 2072 BS in Nepal. But getting job of owned qualification is almost impossible here. Some got job because of their power while many others have to do job below their qualification and expertise level. Besides of the job security, Government Officials too are not fully satisfied with the salary and services they are provided with. Almost 16 years of the educational life students spend for this degree but the paid off salary is too low here.
BE Civil engineering can be a suitable option for a career in the context of Nepal. Even if you don't have your name in the IOE merit list, there are these several private colleges with quality education and advanced infrastructure that will help you build your career. Find the profiles of these colleges and information on ongoing admissions in www.edusanjal.com.
