The process has begun to build the campus for Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology in Chitlang, Makwanpur, even before the federal parliament has approved the bill needed to set up the institution.

Infrastructure Management Committee for the new university started the construction process by setting up a signboard in Thaha Municipality-9 on Thursday. The committee is working to invite bids for the construction within a week.

Rajendra Dhoj Joshi, the committee chairman, said they have started the infrastructure development process as mandated by the government. Asked what if the bill is not endorsed, he said: “The university is the government’s priority. I, therefore, don’t think it won’t be endorsed.” The government has allocated Rs 100 million for the detailed project report and infrastructure development in the current fiscal year.

The government on July 29 registered the bill in the Parliament Secretariat to open a new university near the Capital that will offer a wide range of streams, from science and technology to humanities—similar to those already being offered by two leading universities in Kathmandu. The bill is under consideration at the Education Committee of Parliament.

Though the new varsity has been named Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology, its objectives are no different from those set by Tribhuvan University and Kathmandu University, which primarily cater to students within the Capital and from the surrounding regions.

In its annual budget, the government has announced the plan to establish a technical university that focuses on technical education. But the proposal shows the new institution will be a general university.

The government was looking for Chinese assistance to build the infrastructure and for logistical support. Nepal had proposed the project to Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit in October. The government had sought around Rs 43 billion in grant from the northern neighbour. The Chinese had, however, said Chitlang is not a suitable place for the university, asking the government to find another location within the Valley, according to Nepali officials.

As a result, Nepal will be solely funding the university. “As the Chinese were not enthusiastic about the funding, we will ask the government to increase the budget significantly next fiscal year,” Joshi told the Post. “We will continue to add the infrastructure every year and increase our academic programmes accordingly.”

The academic programmes would target research in technical fields.

Thaha Municipality has transferred the entitlement of 740 ropanies of land from Swachhanda Bhairab Secondary School to the university. Mayor Lab Sher Bista said they would provide more land if necessary. “The Nepal government should allocate necessary funds if the Chinese government has turned down [the request]. However, the university should come into operation at the earliest possible,” he told the Post.