Introduction
Situated in Sundar Haraicha, Morang District — in the dynamic eastern belt of Nepal — Purbanchal University (PU) stands as a landmark achievement in Nepal’s mission to take quality higher education beyond the Kathmandu Valley. Established in 1993 under the Purbanchal University Act and formally launched in 1994, PU was the second university established after the restoration of multi-party democracy in Nepal, and it carries that spirit of democratic access in everything it does.
With over 26,000 enrolled students, 74 academic subjects, 5 constituent campuses, 123 affiliated colleges, and a sprawling main campus of 545 hectares near the East-West Highway, Purbanchal University is more than a regional institution — it is Nepal’s third largest university and the undisputed academic hub of the country’s east.
It holds a unique distinction in Nepal: it is the only university in the eastern region offering MBBS, Bachelor of Engineering, and MBA programs all under one roof.
Quick Facts at a Glance
- Official Name: Purbanchal University (PU) — पूर्वाञ्चल विश्वविद्यालय
- Type: Public, Autonomous University
- Established: 1993 (2050 B.S.) — formally launched 1994
- Location: Sundar Haraicha, Morang District, Koshi Province, Nepal
- Main Campus Size: 545 hectares (~1,346 acres) at Gothgaun, Morang
- Chancellor: Prime Minister of Nepal
- Vice-Chancellor: Biju Kumar Thapalia (appointed April 2024)
- Academic Staff: 396 (100 teaching + 296 administrative & support)
- Total Students: 26,128+
- Academic Subjects: 74
- Constituent Campuses: 5
- Affiliated Colleges: 123+
- Annual Budget: Rs. 1.70 billion (~USD $11 million) (2025–26)
- Ranking: 3rd largest university in Nepal by student enrollment
- Official Websites: purbanchaluniversity.edu.np | puexam.edu.np
History & Background
The story of Purbanchal University begins with a fundamental question that shaped Nepal’s post-democracy higher education policy: why should students from eastern Nepal have to travel all the way to Kathmandu for quality education?
In 1993, the Government of Nepal passed the Purbanchal University Act with a clear answer — they should not have to. The Act established PU with the primary goals of decentralising higher education, reducing the concentration of academic opportunity in Kathmandu, and creating a centre of excellence specifically serving the eastern development region of Nepal. The university was formally inaugurated under then Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala following the restoration of multi-party democracy.
The Government of Nepal allocated an extraordinary 545 hectares of land approximately 30 kilometres from Biratnagar, near the East-West Highway in Gothgaun, Morang — one of the largest university land grants in Nepal. This vast, green campus was intended to support a full academic township, and development of that vision continues to this day.
From its earliest years, PU was motivated by a fundamental objective: to preserve, refine, invent, adopt, extend, and transmit knowledge in an environment that fosters free inquiry and open scholarly debate — leading to the all-encompassing development of rural people, their economies, and their environment.
“To develop Purbanchal University as the model in fulfilling the national objectives of socio-economic transformation through quality education, free inquiry, and open scholarly debate — serving the rural people and their economies for a sustainable future.” — Vision of Purbanchal University
Faculties & Academic Programs
Purbanchal University delivers education across seven faculties and a dedicated School of Engineering, offering certificate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, MPhil, and PhD programs tailored to Nepal’s current and emerging workforce needs.
1. Faculty of Management The School of Management was the very first constituent college of Purbanchal University, located in Tinpaini, Biratnagar. It holds the distinction of having introduced the first Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program in Nepal — a landmark moment in the country’s management education history. Today the faculty offers BBA, BHM (Bachelor of Hotel Management), MBA, MBS, MPhil, and PhD programs focused on entrepreneurship, finance, and human resource management.
2. Faculty of Science and Technology Covers BSc, BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications), MSc, and science-based undergraduate and graduate programs. The faculty integrates theoretical foundations with practical skills in computing, mathematics, environmental science, and applied sciences.
3. Purbanchal University School of Engineering (PUSE) Established in 1999 in Biratnagar, PUSE is the only constituent engineering college of Purbanchal University and the only institution of its kind in the entire eastern region of Nepal. It offers Bachelor’s and Master’s level programs in various streams of engineering including Computer, Civil, Electronics, and Electrical Engineering, with an IT-integrated curriculum designed for the modern job market.
4. Faculty of Medical and Allied Sciences One of the most significant additions to PU’s academic portfolio, this faculty offers MBBS, BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), BSc Nursing, BPH (Bachelor of Public Health), Pharmacy, and other paramedical programs. PU recently welcomed its first MBBS batch through its School of Medicine (PUSM), cementing its position as eastern Nepal’s most comprehensive health sciences institution. Koshi Hospital has been designated as a teaching hospital for PU, strengthening clinical training opportunities.
5. Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Arts) Offers BA and MA programs across a range of humanities and social science disciplines. This faculty serves thousands of students from the eastern hills and Terai regions who seek affordable, quality education in arts and social sciences close to home.
6. Faculty of Education Provides BEd and MEd programs training teachers, educational administrators, and curriculum designers. Given the eastern region’s significant need for qualified teachers — particularly in rural and hill communities — this faculty plays a critical role in Nepal’s national education development.
7. Faculty of Law Offers undergraduate and postgraduate law programs, producing legal professionals who serve the justice, governance, and public policy needs of eastern Nepal and beyond.
8. College of Environment and Forestry Established in 2074 BS (2017 AD) and located in Gothgaun, Morang, this college focuses on environmental sciences, forestry management, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land use — directly addressing the ecological priorities of the eastern region, which is rich in forest cover, rivers, and natural resources.
Constituent Campuses
Purbanchal University delivers its programs through five constituent campuses, each specialising in a key academic area:
- School of Management (PUFoM), Tinpaini, Biratnagar — Nepal’s first BBA college; offers BBA, BHM, MBA, MBS, MPhil, PhD
- School of Engineering (PUSE), Biratnagar — Only constituent engineering college in eastern Nepal; BE and ME programs
- Faculty of Medical Sciences (PUFoMAS), Gothgaun, Morang — MBBS, nursing, pharmacy, and allied health programs
- Faculty of Arts, Law and Education (PUFoALE), Gothgaun — Humanities, social sciences, law, and teacher education
- College of Environment and Forestry, Gothgaun — Environmental sciences and forestry management programs
Campus Life & Environment
The main campus of Purbanchal University in Gothgaun, Morang — approximately 30 kilometres from Biratnagar near the East-West Highway — is one of the most spacious university campuses in all of Nepal at 545 hectares. Set in a semi-rural landscape, the campus offers a calm, green, and focused learning environment away from the congestion of major cities.
The Gothgaun Campus is currently being developed into a modern, digitally-integrated learning space, with upgrades to infrastructure, laboratories, libraries, and student facilities. The university promotes a student-centred campus culture, encouraging academic clubs, seminars, hackathons, and community outreach programs that connect learning to real-world problems.
Each constituent campus has student welfare councils and academic societies, ensuring student voices are represented in university life. PU also reserves seats for students from marginalised communities across all programs — embedding equity directly into its admissions policy.
Areas of Academic Excellence
Purbanchal University has formally identified five strategic areas of Academic Excellence that guide its research agenda, program development, and community engagement:
- Business Administration — Entrepreneurship, finance, hotel management, and trade development
- Industry and Technology — Engineering, IT, and applied technology for industrial growth
- Agriculture and Forestry — Sustainable farming, land management, and forest conservation
- Environment, Rural and Cultural Subsistence — Programs and research addressing the livelihoods, ecosystems, and cultural heritage of rural and hill communities
- Sustainable Development — Cross-disciplinary research and programs addressing environmental sustainability, social equity, and long-term economic resilience
These five pillars reflect PU’s commitment to education that is directly useful to the people and landscapes of eastern Nepal — not education designed for an abstract global market, but learning grounded in local realities and national development needs.
Research & International Collaboration
Research at Purbanchal University is closely tied to its regional development mission. The university’s research agenda focuses on biodiversity preservation, climate adaptation, rural economic development, public health in underserved communities, and sustainable technology — all areas of urgent relevance in the eastern hills and Terai.
Internationally, PU has established academic collaborations with universities and institutions in India, South Korea, China, and Germany — providing students and faculty with pathways to international research, student exchange, and joint academic programs.
The university’s governance structure supports research through three primary bodies: the Senate (highest authority for policy, academic programs, and affiliation decisions), the Executive Council (implementation and budget management under the Vice-Chancellor), and the Academic Council (curriculum development, examination standards, and research guidelines).
Affordability & Inclusion
One of Purbanchal University’s most important contributions to Nepali society is its commitment to affordable education. As a public institution, constituent campuses charge significantly lower fees than private affiliated colleges, making degree programs in engineering, medicine, management, and the sciences accessible to students from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The university publishes scholarship notices at admission time across all faculties, and reserved seats for marginalised communities are built into every program — ensuring that the benefits of higher education reach those who need it most.
PU has also initiated distance learning approaches under certain programs, extending its reach to students who cannot physically attend campus — a forward-looking step in a country where geography often determines educational opportunity.
Why Choose Purbanchal University?
- Nepal’s third largest university — established 1993, serving 26,000+ students
- The only university in eastern Nepal offering MBBS, BE, and MBA under one roof
- Pioneered Nepal’s first BBA program through its School of Management
- One of the largest university campuses in Nepal — 545 hectares in Gothgaun, Morang
- 7 faculties and a School of Engineering covering management, science, medicine, law, education, arts, and environment
- 123+ affiliated colleges reaching students across eastern Nepal and beyond
- International academic collaborations with India, South Korea, China, and Germany
- Affordable fee structure at constituent campuses with scholarships available
- Reserved seats for students from marginalised communities in all programs
- Distance learning options for students unable to attend in person
- Focused on areas directly relevant to eastern Nepal: agriculture, forestry, environment, and rural development
For admissions, programs, scholarship information, and campus details, visit the official websites at purbanchaluniversity.edu.np and puexam.edu.np