Bhaktapur, Chaitra 29, 2080 — Faculty of Engineering at Purbanchal University, recently organized a curriculum development workshop focusing on ME Earthquake Engineering. The event, held at Khwopa Engineering College, brought together esteemed guests, experts, professionals, faculty members, and alumni to discuss the vital importance of earthquake engineering education in Nepal.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by the presence of Mr. Sunil Prajapati, the Mayor of Bhaktapur Municipality, who lit the traditional Panas, symbolizing the commencement of the workshop. In his address, the chief guest emphasized the need for aligning education with productive labor, stressing the importance of motivating students to contribute to the welfare of society and the nation. He commended Purbanchal University for its foresight in offering the ME Earthquake Engineering program since 2005, acknowledging the significant role played by faculties, alumni, and students in the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts following the devastating Gorkha Earthquake of 2015.
Mr. Prajapati highlighted the collaborative efforts between Khwopa Engineering College, Khwopa College of Engineering, and Bhaktapur Municipality in restoring and reconstructing heritage structures damaged by the earthquake. He also announced the upcoming 4th International Conference on Earthquake Engineering and Post-Disaster Reconstruction Planning, scheduled for January 2026, which aims to further advance knowledge and practices in the field.
Leading the inaugural ceremony was Prof. Debi Prashad Bhattarai, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Purbanchal University, who emphasized the importance of continuous curriculum development to meet national needs and international standards. He expressed the university's commitment to introducing compulsory internships for engineering students and advocated for closer collaboration between university colleges and affiliated institutions, particularly public colleges.
Er. Hemant Goit, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, elaborated on the objectives of the workshop, expressing gratitude to all experts involved in developing the syllabi. Prof. Dr. Bhola Nath Sharma Ghimire, Chairman of the Subject Committee for Civil and Geomatics Engineering, praised the contributions of Bhaktapur Municipality's engineering colleges and their commitment to developing curriculum that attracts Nepali students.
Er. Sujan Maka, Principal of Khwopa Engineering College, welcomed the distinguished guests and experts, presenting statistics on earthquake engineering students over the past two decades, highlighting the growing interest and importance of the field.
The workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, collaborate on curriculum development, and reaffirm their commitment to advancing earthquake engineering education in Nepal, ensuring the country is better prepared to mitigate the impact of future seismic events.