Introduction:
Environment is not only the bio-physical “surrounding” but also includes the human’s social and economic aspects in it. It is the sum total of all the living, non-living and socio-economic entities, interacting and affecting each other including humans. Nature or the environment is the ultimate resource for all living beings, and humans are no exception. However, our need and greed, and mismanagement has resulted in the degradation of the quality of the environment. Accordingly, the environment has become the focus of many disciplines and discourses, and encompasses almost all branches of natural and social sciences. Environmental issues are now part of every talk, debate, career path and employment. Therefore, a holistic knowledge and understanding of different disciplines is essential to understand the environment and its dynamics. The Bachelors of Environmental Studies (BES) is specially designed in this plan with focus on social, economic, and ecological dimensions of environmental issues.
This Bachelor Program (BES) is an interdisciplinary program run by School of Arts of Kathmandu University and will be supplemented by the other relevant faculties such as Management and Science. Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) is a program, which has a high value at present and in future and is destined to be a successful program.
The Degree:
The University offers BA (Bachelor of Arts) for the Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) program.
Eligibility criteria:
Nepali or non-Nepali nationals with 10 + 2 or equivalent level education of at least 1.60 CGPA or 40% in aggregate, and GCE Advanced Level students passed in minimum three subjects in A Level and one general paper in AS Level with minimum 40% PUM in aggregate are eligible for the admission. The admission is open to the interested students of all the streams of High Schools such as Science, Arts, Management, Computer etc. with the minimum qualifications.
Career profiles:
Environmental inspector, Environmentalist, Environmental resource officer, Ecologist, Conservationist, Monitoring and evaluation officer (M&E), Gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) officer, Sustainable and climate finance officer, IEE/EIA team member, Environmental educator, Environmental analyst, Environmental researcher, Environmental consultant, Environmental reporter and many more in natural resource, climate change, development, sustainability related works.
Course highlights:
BES is a four years (eight semesters) program. Some of the courses and components are:
- Ecology
- Green entrepreneurship
- Conservation and protected area
- Environmental pollution
- ITK and practices
- Environmental arts and design
- Climate change
- Earth and minerals
- Water, land and forest management
- Biological resources and food security
- Sustainability
- Nature based solutions and innovation
- Environmental economics
- Community based learning
- Environmental Ethics and philosophy
- Environmental sociology
- Field trips, internships and environmental projects
Fees and scholarships:
The total fee for the program is about Rs. 6,15000 for 4 years or 8 Semesters of the study. Fee waivers for entrance topper, semester topper, merit and need based scholarship, endowment fund scholarship, research project-based scholarship, and employment opportunity for meritorious graduates are available.
Classes:
The Classes of this program will be held in National College, Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu with a few, specially the practical at Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel Campus. Classes will be run in daytime from October/November 2024 session. Senior faculties and visiting experts will be involved in the classes and practical.
Other Highlights:
The enrolled students will also have participation in skill enhancing activities such as Practical; Field trips; Interns; Projects; Conferences; Workshops etc.
The admission form can be accessed online via the websites of National College and Kathmandu University (kusoa).