In contemporary global academic parlance, the importance of management education can hardly be overemphasized. But Nepal could only onboard into higher education in management adopting globally recognized practices with a lag of decades. It in true sense began with establishment of Kathmandu University School of Management in 1993 and commencement of first MBA program in the country. It was also the beginning of industry-ready human resources on finance, human resource management including several other disciplines. KUSOM has only grown in both qualitative excellence and quantitative expansion since its inception.
The Beginning of a Legacy of Management Education
A leading institution that is making its mark by bringing in quality and leadership in education is Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSOM). Established in 1991, Kathmandu University (KU) is an autonomous, not-for-profit, and non-government public institution. KU is an institution of higher learning dedicated to maintaining high standards of academic excellence. The University has the mission not only to provide quality education but also for leadership in quality education by creating, disseminating and applying knowledge in science, technology, management, social sciences, and liberal arts through cutting-edge education and research programs under seven different schools namely, School of Arts, School of Education, School of Engineering, School of Law, School of Medical Science, School of Management, and School of Science.
They are on the path to create business leaders, entrepreneurs, planners and policy makers. Their vision simply is to become instrument of positive change by developing programs that are truly transformative to the formative minds. KUSOM was the first business school to launch graduate programs in Kathmandu University and also the first one to initiate a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in the country based on international best practices on curriculum and structure. KUSOM offers a range of programs such as BBA, MBA, Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM), Master in Business and Economics (MBE), MPhil and PhD in Management.
Thirty years on, the School continues to hold the prestigious position of being the leading business school in the country, rated as the best business school in all the B-Schools Ratings in Nepal to date. KUSOM, therefore has become the natural first choice of aspirants of management education and employers of management graduates alike.
The School is leading the way in management development of the country setting quality standards and innovative trends for other business schools to follow. Its graduates now provide high quality managerial, entrepreneurial and intellectual resources for the growth and success of a large number of business, development and academic enterprises in the country.
KUSOM is proud of its 100 percent placement record throughout.
Leading the Way to Enterprising Education
KUSOM is leading the way with a number of unique characteristics. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, teaching-learning modules were adjusted to suit the changing needs. The school maintained its academic calendar without disruption at any point, even during trying times. It thus enabled students to graduate on time, by completing their courses, either physically or virtually. KUSOM is open to foreign students and offers financial assistance to deserving candidates. In fact, 10% of seats are reserved for foreign students.
By doing this, the school aims to acknowledge the scholarship of the meritorious and is in the drive to become a B -school of international repute. The School pursues four core strands in business education—Management education, Management training and continuing learning, Management consulting and Management research. The school aims to achieve the following goal—Preparation of professionals for career in management, Professional enrichment of change leaders and entrepreneurs, Support for organizational change, Generation and dissemination of management knowledge and Continuous improvement in institutional performance and image of its own.
KUSOM courses are highly diversified, in sync with the curriculum of the universities abroad. This encompasses language skill and quantitative skill, courses on society and culture, philosophy, ethics and values, IT and communications etc. The faculties at KUSOM with passionate in academia follow an innovative teaching that combines theories, cases, experiential learning and project assignments. Dean says, “We also have many visiting resource persons and faculties from international universities and organizations, as well as local businesses and corporative leaders to deliver lectures, provide guidance, and share their experiences with our students”.
KUSOM’s courses are highly diversified, and in sync with the curricula pursued by Universities world over. The school aims for holistic development of students. Team work, trust and collaboration among faculty members and staff stand as the guiding values of the school
MBA students are also made to participate in the Rural Enterprise Services(RES) for three weeks in which students go out to rural areas, understand business conditions there and, occasionally help them with access to financial resources from banks and different government departments, guide them to optimize their activities, carry out their market plans, prepare business proposals etc. As evident, KUSOM does not believe in passive but active learning where students get to engage in various kinds of simulation activities that keep learning exciting. KUSOM engages in rendering training and consulting services to the corporates from both private and public sector. KUSOM also provides training to faculties for enhancing their research capabilities.
KUSOM faculty are educated in different parts of the world and therefore bring diversity in their knowledge and experience to the classrooms, while sharing a common passion to excel in academia. A few of the faculty have also participated in the Faculty Development Program (FDP) at IIM-A. They follow an innovative teaching style that focuses on experiential learning. KUSOM has seven faculty members who are certified Lab Masters from the University of Olu in Finland. This has enabled the faculty members in promoting design thinking, meaningful teaching, and focus on practicality of learning. The Dean says that it is the team work that is inherent in building the brand of KUSOM.
KUSOM also has a strong alumni network and often ones with the right kind of skills and demonstrated competence who are invited to teach and share experience with the students. Alumni visit to share their experiences as part of guest and interaction. KUSOM, also organizes its annual flagship event, called as KUSOM Job and Internship Fair (KJIF) where industry leaders are invited for internships and placement. Around 60 plus companies are participating in the fair in the year 2022.
Devi Prasad Bedari, Professor & Dean
Devi Prasad Bedari, PhD, Professor and Dean of the School, holds a PhD in Economics (University of Colorado at Boulder). He has worked at different Universities as well as T.A. Pai Management Institute, India.
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