I made strong, persistent efforts to introduce Biomedical Engineering as a transformative interdisciplinary program in Nepal—by working with IOM Maharajgunj, IOE Pulchowk, and even NAST leadership. Over the years, I have repeatedly initiated high-level dialogues to start a Biomedical Engineering program in Nepal—one that integrates the expertise of The Institute of Medicine (IOM), Maharajgunj for medical and clinical knowledge, The Institute of Engineering (IOE), Pulchowk for engineering and design excellence, and the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) for scientific and research support.
I envisioned a joint interdisciplinary program where IOM Maharajgunj provides medical and anatomical foundations. IOE Pulchowk delivers systems design, embedded electronics, robotics, and AI and NAST supports cross-disciplinary research and innovation incubation. This is not just about creating a course—it’s about positioning Nepal as a regional leader in Biomedical engineering field. I held multiple meetings with Deans, senior professors, and administrators across these institutions. I also met with the Vice-Chancellors of Tribhuvan University and NAST. But despite global demand, proven models, and my strong proposal for collaboration, I encountered bureaucratic resistance, fragmented leadership, and, above all, a lack of vision.
Nepal urgently needs affordable, locally developed medical technologies—from diagnostics and imaging to prosthetics, implants, and telehealth systems.
Nepal needs bold leadership to declare Biomedical Engineering a strategic national priority, mandate collaborative curriculum development between IOM, IOE, and NAST, Create Institutions of National Importance to fast-track frontier education in health-tech, AI, and biomedical innovation and learn from global examples—India’s PAN IIT , AIIMS, and BIRAC have shown what’s possible with vision and coordination.
I made consistent efforts to initiate a Biomedical Engineering program in Nepal by building bridges between Nepal’s premier institutions and Indian institutes of excellence, particularly IIT Kanpur—my own alma mater.
I reached out and worked with professors at IIT Kanpur to explore a collaborative model, where Nepal’s IOE and IOM could co-develop a program aligned with international standards. We discussed faculty exchanges, research collaboration, and potential student mobility for joint biomedical innovation projects. Unfortunately, despite mutual interest from the academic side, the program could not move forward due to lack of leadership commitment from Nepal’s institutional heads, no strategic vision or facilitation from Tribhuvan University’s top leadership, and absence of inter-ministerial or cross-institutional policy mechanisms to support such interdisciplinary, cross-border programs.
Driving Innovation in the IT Sector
But the potential remains huge—not only for education and health, but also for Nepal’s IT industry and economy. Biomedical Engineering integrates Embedded systems,AI and machine learning, Signal processing, Big data in health, 3D printing and bio-simulation, Robotics for surgery and rehabilitation etc etc. This creates new demand for skilled IT professionals, startups, and tech developers—shifting Nepal from an outsourcing economy to an innovation economy. With proper vision, Nepal can lead cross-border biomedical innovation in the Himalayan region, Join global forums on affordable health-tech and partner with Pan-IIT networks, UNESCO, WHO, and ADB for grants and innovation labs.
Despite repeated efforts to launch a collaborative Biomedical Engineering program in Nepal—through partnerships between IOE Pulchowk, IOM Maharajgunj, and IIT Kanpur—the initiative has stalled due to institutional inertia and lack of vision.