Attraction toward climate studies spikes

World Meteorology Day

KATHMANDU, March 23: Broad range of weather patterns, rainfall and possible reasons behind formation of clouds always tickled the curiosity of Binod Babu Dhakal, 21, of Dolkha district.

Driven by this urge to learn more, Dhakal had come to Kathmandu and finally enrolled in the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology studies at Tri-Chandra College (TC) in 2012. Now, a third-year student, he aims to pursue Masters of Science (MSc) in Meteorology and become a climate change expert.

Gobinda Jha, 23, a resident of Sarlahi, shares a similar interest. A classmate of Dahal, Jha also desires to excel in his field and become a climate scientist. He is confident that he would achieve his goal through hard work and determination.
“If I succeed in this level and continue higher studies in the same field, I know I will one day become a climate expert. I see many opportunities in this field,” said Jha.

Besides these two students, there are 50 others enrolled in the same department with the same ambition.

According to TU, the number of students enrolling in this faculty has doubled over the last five years. There were 16 students in 2011, 19 in 2012, 26 in 2013 and the number had reached 43 in 2014.

“In our times, we did not have other options but only to enroll in meteorology and hydrology studies. Now, students have many other subjects to choose from,” said Professor Rupak Rajbhandari, head of Department of Meteorology at TC.

TC is the only educational institution in Nepal offering Bachelors of Science (BSc) in Hydrology and Meteorology studies.
According to Shiva Kumar Mahato, a lecturer at the department, the faculty was first introduced in TC in 1973 and the master's level course for the subject was designed in 1988.

“This is an applied science and it scope over the years has expanded, enabling students bag best opportunities ever. Moreover, I have found most of students getting employed in reputed organizations immediately after graduation,” said Mahato. "Hydrology is also emerging as a favorite subject among students who pursue master's degree in climate studies,” he added.

Suman Regmi, senior meteorologist at the Meteorology Forecasting Division (MFD), said number of students enrolling for meteorological studies is likely to further go up in the days to come.

“Climate change is a global agenda. With large organizations working in the climate sector, I see ample opportunities for the students who excel in this field,” said Regmi.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of World Meteorological Day, faculty students showcased various instruments used in measuring weather conditions.