Lumbini Buddhist University Launches Nepal’s First Postgraduate Drone Program

Kathmandu. Lumbini Buddhist University is preparing to run a postgraduate drone course. For the first time, the university has opened forms and is now accepting applications to conduct a postgraduate class titled 'Unmanned Aircraft System, Aviation, and Operation Management.'

Associate Professor Dr. Basanta Paudel of the university's 'School of Development Studies and Applied Sciences' stated that the deadline to fill out the form is set for March 28. According to him, this course includes aspects of drone engineering, operation, and management.

What subjects are included?

According to Associate Professor Dr. Paoudel, the course takes two years to complete and is taught over 60 credit hours. This course is completed in four semesters, with 15 credit hours per semester.

In the first semester, subjects such as a basic introduction to drones, missions, basic principles of aviation, airframe and drone structure, global and Nepali market conditions, laws of regulatory bodies, security alerts, and low-altitude project management are taught.

In the second semester, students learn about business strategies related to the commercial use of drones in areas such as tourism, development, health, and disaster management, as well as subjects including power systems, flight operations, navigation, control, and communication systems.

In the third semester, the curriculum covers Geographic Information System (GIS), remote sensing, data processing and security, drone rescue operations, material transportation, and low-altitude tourism management. Similarly, subjects related to drone engineering, such as drone assembly and manufacturing, are also taught.

The fourth semester will be entirely based on research and thesis writing. He said, “In this semester, the research itself will carry 12 credit hours. We also provide internship opportunities in companies related to unmanned aircraft in Nepal and abroad. For this, we are also making agreements with other universities and corporate companies affiliated with our university.”

Which students will get to study this course? 

This course is designed to be accessible to anyone, regardless of their field of study. Graduates from any faculty, including those without an engineering background, such as humanities, management, and others, will be able to take this course. He stated that students who have achieved a minimum GPA of 2.0 or 55 percent at the undergraduate level can apply for this program.

Associate Professor Paudel said, “This course starts with general information about unmanned aircraft. Since the course is designed to include both engineering and management subjects, it is useful not only for those who want to fly drones but also for those who want to manage them commercially.”

He stated that after completing this course, one can work in areas such as spraying pesticides in the agricultural sector, transporting produced goods, delivering medicine and health materials to remote areas, searching and rescuing during disasters, promoting the tourism sector, and engaging in mapping activities.

He said, “This course has been prepared to produce skilled manpower capable of developing and producing drones in Nepal.”

The Unmanned Aircraft System, Aviation and Operation Management subject comprises 80 percent practical and only 20 percent theoretical content. He mentioned that it will be taught by subject experts from Nepal, as well as from France, China, and India. Associate Professor Paudel added, “It will be taught in a blended model, both online and in person. Students must attend the practical classes physically. The theoretical part can be taught online.”

MIT AI to launch this year​

This year, the university has also begun offering postgraduate courses in Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence (MIT AI). For this, application forms have also been made available.

Under this course, subjects such as data analysis, machine learning, and software development will be taught. Associate Professor Paudel mentioned that to study this subject, one must have studied subjects related to information technology at the undergraduate level. He said, “This subject is also taught in 60 credit hours. The fourth semester is entirely practical and also provides opportunities for internships.”

Students interested in studying Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Aviation and Operation Management, and MIT AI can apply through the official website of Lumbini Buddhist University.

A fee of 400,000 rupees has been set for the full course of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and 350,000 rupees for MIT AI. Students will be selected through interviews and entrance exams after their application.

The classes will be conducted at the 'School of Development Studies and Applied Science' of the university located in Devdaha, Rupandehi. Currently, there is no residential facility at the university, Assistant Professor Paudel said. He stated, "Students will have to arrange for their own accommodation while pursuing these courses. The institution is working on physical infrastructure to handle this in the future.”

 

पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: चैत ८, २०८२ १६:४५

टिप्पणीहरू