The government has taken forward the process to establish Shree Pashupati Hindu University. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation are going to establish the University with the objective to conduct research on the Hindu religion. A committee formed by the Ministry to conduct a feasibility study for the same submitted its concept paper along with the findings of the study to the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati.
Committee coordinator and cultural expert Dr Jagman Gurung handed over the concept paper to Minister Kirati at the latter's office on Sunday. Minister Kirati lauded the timely concept note and expressed his confidence that it would be enforced at the earliest. According to Kirati, a separate committee would be formed by Ministry to conduct detailed reports on the proposed University. The concept paper was prepared within a month by the Committee since its formation. It is believed that the University would also support conducting wider research on the Hindu religion, producing experts on Hinduism and developing cultural diplomacy. Dr Gurung was confident that the University would help establish Nepal as the centre of spiritual attraction in the world.
Conclusion of concept paper The committee has pointed out the need for the establishment of the University, stating that the proposed University would be focused on the teaching and research of Nepal's religion, philosophy, civilization, folk culture and authentic ethnic issues. The University is envisaged to be run through the Board of Trustees. It will run Master, MPhil and PhD level academic programmes. Although the Ministry of Culture, Culture and Civil Aviation and Pashupati Area Development Area are the founders of the University, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology will formulate the education policy and programmes of the University.
The concept paper along with the assessment of the possibility of university establishment concluded that a financial grant from the University Grant Commission and financial support from the Trust is indispensable. The Committee suggested that the University could be built on the land at Gothatar, Kathmandu that is owned by the Trust. At least 200 ropanis of land are needed for the proposed University, the concept paper recommended. It further stated that there would be problems regarding the needs of the University, acquisition of land and management of human resources and identification of sources for the University.
