ABCD खबर

Kathmandu University (KU), in collaboration with the RP Foundation, has launched a new program, “Bachelor in Heritage Conservation” (BHC) under the School of Engineering (SoE), Department of Architecture.

The Bachelor in Heritage Conservation (BHC) course is one of a kind; with heritage at its core, the course helps students gain numerous skills and delves into the “why” and “how” of preservation, exploring the diversity, and the impact of heritage on a civilization. Marking its debut as the first course on such a unique yet integral topic in not only Nepal but in all of Asia, BHC aims and aspires to act as a pioneer to create individuals with intellect as well as compassion for their heritage.

Nepal is a country with two cultural heritages listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and fifteen sites on the UNESCO Nomination List. In a nation well regarded for its richness in both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, a course of this nature does more than underscore the importance of preservation and protection; it establishes a framework for examining, documenting, and testing time-honored methods and traditions that have been passed down through generations.

The “Gorkha Earthquake” of 2015 caused significant damage to a number of monuments all across Nepal. This aftermath clearly marked the lack of technical as well as heritage knowledge, leading to poor-quality restoration projects and further deterioration of cultural heritage. This also marked a significant shortage of skilled experts, which hindered the proper preservation, restoration and protection of our historical infrastructure. During this time, the RPFC passionately engaged in preventing the mass destruction of such significant monuments and understood the problems created by a lack of awareness among the general public and a lack of a knowledgeable workforce in the fields. Thus, this course aims to bridge that very gap by raising awareness and advancing efforts to provide education to inspire preservation, protection and conservation of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage in Nepal.

Kathmandu University (KU) and the RP Foundation formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster collaboration in these very areas of education and heritage conservation. Prof. Dr. Manish Pokhrel, Dean of the School of Engineering at KU, and Rabindra Puri, Chairman of the RP Foundation, signed the MoU on February 11, 2024. Additionally, on July 21, 2024, Kathmandu University and the RP Foundation signed a definitive agreement to launch a Bachelor’s program in Heritage Conservation.

BHC is a four-year bachelor degree that provides diverse career opportunities and extensive prospects across various sectors. The BHC classes will be taking place mainly in Panauti. Other additional classes will be held in Dhulikhel and Bhaktapur. The discipline of heritage conservation entails the preservation, safe guarding, and administration of cultural, historical, and architectural heritage. The following delineates the breadth of opportunities within this field:

Career opportunities: As a heritage conservationist, Archaeologist, Museum Curator, Cultural Resource Manager, Historic Preservation Planner, Conservation Scientist.

Government and Non-Government Organizations: As experts and consultants in local, national and international organizations like UNESCO, ICOMOS, and so on.

Education and Research: Academic/teaching and researching works on both private, governmental and international organizations and educational institutions.

Tourism and Cultural Management: Development and management of cultural tourism initiatives as well as event management.

Urban and Rural Development: Consultants to Urban planners integrating various heritage traditional practices.

Public History and Advocacy: Public historian and advocacy as collaborators and policy makers

Skills Development: Interdisciplinary skills, technical skills, communication skills.

Further Education: Pursues advanced degrees (Master's or Ph.D.) in heritage conservation, archaeology, museum studies, or related fields. Specialization on specific areas such as architectural conservation, digital heritage, or conservation science.

Global Opportunities: Heritage conservation is a field with global relevance, offering opportunities to work on projects around the world, particularly in regions with rich cultural histories.

Bachelor's degree in Heritage Conservation has a wide scope that can lead to a rewarding career in numerous fields of preservation and promotion of cultural and historical heritage for future generations.

The admission for BHC has opened for this year. Following are some important information regarding the admission.

 Important dates:

Application deadline:               16th September, 2024

Admit card collection:                         18th & 19th September, 2024

Paper-based test (PBT):         20th September, 2024

Selected students list:             23rd September, 2024

Interview of students:              26th & 27th September, 2024

Notice for enrollment:             28th September, 2024

Enrollment:                              29th, 30th September & 1st October, 2024

Classes begin:             10th November, 2024

Admission forms via our website:

https://kurpfc.edu.np/wp-content/uploads/Admission-Form-1.docx

 Eligibility:

Basic Science or Management equivalent to +2 or intermediate level in any subject is required; with a minimum aggregate GPA of 2.0 or 50%. Candidates must pass the Paper-Based Admission Test (PBT) with a minimum score of 50 out of 100. An interview will also be held following the PBT, which will determine the students’ eligibility to join the course.

 Fees and Scholarship:

Contact:

Phone number: 977-9864160353

Email address: bhc@ku.edu.np

Website: kurpfc.edu.np