KATHMANDU, Jan 14: Nepal is making preparation to offer university degrees in mountaineering very soon.
The government-owned Nepal Mountain Academy will offer Bachelors and Masters degrees in mountaineering very soon, according to Lhakpa Phuti Sherpa, the executive director of the academy.
“We will get affiliation from Tribhuvan University - the oldest varsity of the country - within two-three days,” Sherpa said, adding that it the academy will be the mountaineering college in the country.
Initially, the academy will enroll 30 students in its Bachelors program. It has already developed syllabus for both Bachelors and Masters programs.
“The syllabus was first designed by a UK-based university and verified by the Tribhuvan University (TU),” Sherpa said, adding that the course will cover mountain climbing, mountain culture, mountain geography, mountain environment, weather forecasting and other issues related to mountains.
According to Sherpa, the academy will have teaching facilities in Kathmandu and Solukhumbu districts. The academy is building a college building in land spread over 3,000 ropani. It will conduct theoretical classes in Kathmandu.
“Countries like the US, India and Mongolia have expressed interest to help us,” Sherpa said, adding that college will help to promote mountain tourism in Nepal. "As Nepal is a mountainous country, we should cash in on our high mountains,” she added.
Mountaineering instructors holding 'International Guide' license will be faculty members of the academy, according to Sherpa. “Each student has to climb a mountain of around 7,000 meters as part of their practical assignment,” said Sherpa.
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