Nepal Open University: Pioneer in eLearning in Nepal
Nepal Open University (Nepal Khula Vishwo Vidhyalaya), located in Manbahawan, Lalitpur, is Nepal’s first official open university. Established in 2016 under the Open University Act 2073, this institution is changing how higher education is delivered, bringing learning to your fingertips through the power of modern technology.
Making Higher Education Possible for All
Nepal Open University (NOU) was created to make education accessible to those who can’t attend regular physical classes due to jobs, distance, or personal reasons. It's perfect for working professionals, people living in rural or remote areas, and anyone looking to continue their education from home.
The university uses an online learning platform, Moodle, where students can access syllabus, assignments, classes, tests, and results, all through the internet. Classes are held every evening from 6:30 PM for three hours, so learners can easily manage study along with work or other duties.
What You Can Study
NOU currently offers programs across diploma, bachelor’s, master’s, MPhil, and PhD levels. It has three major faculties:
Faculty of Management and Law
Faculty of Social Sciences and Education
Faculty of Science, Health and Technology
Popular programs include:
MBA (Master of Business Administration)
Bachelor of Business Science
Bachelor of Law (LLB)
Courses are designed to match real-world needs and promote phenomenon-based learning, focusing on practical and critical thinking skills rather than just memorization.
How It Works
NOU’s digital system is simple but powerful. It uses Moodle, a learning management system, where all teaching materials, class activities, and exams are uploaded. Internal evaluations carry 40% weight, while final exams carry 60%, ensuring a fair assessment system.
Alongside this, the Government of Nepal is also using Microsoft Teams to support online education in public schools, with teacher training and digital lessons rolled out to improve the quality of remote learning.
Who Runs the University?
NOU is governed by a strong academic and administrative team:
Chancellor: Hon'ble Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Raghujeet Pant
Vice-Chancellor: Prof. Dr. Shilu Manandhar Bajracharya
Registrar: Prof. Dr. Govinda Singh Bista
Deans:
Faculty of Social Science and Education: Dr. Khagendra Prasai
Faculty of Management and Law: Dr. Arhan Sthapit
Faculty of Science, Health and Technology: Dr. Surendra Shrestha
The Vice-Chancellor is the top academic and administrative authority, while the Registrar handles personnel and financial operations.
A Journey Rooted in Dedication
The dream of an open university in Nepal dates back to 1999, when Nepal joined the SAARC Consortium for Open and Distance Education. Though the idea was discussed in the 2008/09 budget, it lacked action until a team of Nepalese diaspora professionals from Canada and Australia pushed it forward. Their efforts, along with the support of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), led to the government officially passing the bill in 2016.
Backed by the University Grants Commission (UGC)
The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Nepal supports multiple universities in Nepal and ensures quality and coordination. UGC allocates funds, sets academic standards, and supports universities like NOU in maintaining education quality.