Capacity Enhancement in Rock and Tunnel Engineering in Nepal

Abstract

In the recent past, infrastructure development activities have gained momentum in Nepal. Many roads are being and will be upgraded to enhance transport efficiency. The hydropower development activities are in full momentum. However, frequently occurring natural hazards caused by monsoon rain and large-scale earthquakes are major challenges to Nepal’s endeavors of infrastructure and hydropower development. Developing an efficient transport network functioning in all-weather conditions and resilient hydropower is not possible without the construction of tunnels. The experience indicates that the construction cost for tunnels is considerably higher due to insufficient capacity and knowledge base within Nepal and dependency on foreign agencies who have limited knowledge on the Himalayan geological condition. It is important to build capacity through specialized high-level education and research within Rock and Tunnel Engineering both at MSc and Ph.D. levels. This paper discusses a new curriculum developed for MSc education in Rock and Tunnel Engineering for the Institute of Engineering (IoE) of Tribhuvan University with the support of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). It has started the MSc program and first batch of students has been enrolled for the academic year 2020/2021 at IoE-WRC Pokhara. NTNU collaborates with IoE through a research grant NORHED II Project 70141 6; Capacity Enhancement in Rock and Tunnel Engineering in Nepal received from the Norwegian Agency for Development Aid (NORAD).

Capacity Enhancement in Rock and Tunnel Engineering in Nepal