After two months long detailed study conducted by the New Biz Team and the jury process held recently, the Kathmandu University School of Management has emerged as the top Business School of Nepal in the Everest Bank National B-Schools Rating Ranking & Awards, with Shanker Dev Campus coming second and Ace School of Management coming third. 

 

The study focused on a multi-parameter evaluation of the 40 plus B-Schools participating in the rating-ranking-awards process from all across Nepal. It combined perceptive study by a panel of jury members comprising HR Managers of corporate houses, senior academic and administrative veterans, along with perception analysis of current and past students and empirical data of performance given by the B-Schools themselves on several criteria. 

 

Based on these data given by the participating 40+ B-Schools and the perceptions of a few current and past students, the jury evaluated the participating schools on a total score of 140. The B-Schools which score above 100 were ranked as per their score to occupy the first nine positions which have 14 B-Schools in total. 

 

It is interesting to note that the specific sector of travel, tourism and hotel management colleges, the veteran government sector college NATHM (Nepal Academy of Tourism & Hotel Management) comes first, followed very closely by the younger private sector institute, International School of Tourism. Among the younger below ten years life-span institutes, King’s College of Kathmandu stood as the winner. 

 

Among the B-Schools outside the valley, Presidency College of Management of Chitwan comes first, while Crimson and Tilottama Colleges in the Western Region follow closely being the joint Western Region winners. Purvanchal University Management Department is the winner from the Eastern Region. There was no participation from the Mid-West and Far- Western Regions of Nepal. 

 

With regards to distant and online mode of education, International Centre for Academics providing IGNOU courses in Kathmandu emerged the winner. 

 

The jury consisted of former Dean of Tribhuvan University Faculty of Management Prof Dr Parasar Koirala, former Education Secretary of Nepal Dipendra Bikram Thapa, HR Manager of Javra Software Manoj Giri, HR Manager of Everest Bank Limited Kumar Joshi, HR Manager of the Amravati Group Madhu Paudel, and the Managing Director Real Solutions and Merojob.com, Shailendra Raj Giri. 

 

In the programme held at Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu on July 19, Chief Guest Kishore Thapa, Secretary in the Ministry of Urban Development (who is also the former Education Secretary), presented the trophy to KUSOM. Among the other dignitaries who gave away the awards to different winners included Vice President of Confederation of Asia- Pacific Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) Pradeep K Shrestha, Vice President of CNI, Hari Bhakta Sharma, CEO of Everest Bank A K Ahluwalia, Vice- President of FNCCI Pradeep Jung Pandey, Chairman of IME Group Chandra Dhakal, DGM of Everest Bank H P Kulkarni, CEO of NIC Asia Bank Sashin Joshi, and CEO of Teletalk Sanjay Agarwal. The event was remarked as “pathbreaking” by Kishore Thapa, “essential” by Pradeep Jung Pandey, “auspicious” by Hari Bhakta Sharma and “historical” by Pradeep Shrestha. 

 

The rating-ranking project was headed by the Senior Consultant of NewBiz Prof Ujjwal K Chowdhury, former Dean of Pune-based Symbiosis International University, who has experience of rating and ranking of business and media schools of India. “It has been a learning experience knowing some 40 plus B-Schools of this country, and understanding their best practices, evaluation and placements processes etc,” he noted. 

 

“A business media like New Business Age and Aarthik Abhiyan is expected to contribute to the process of evolution of business education in the society by recognizing the best, setting standards for the same, and encouraging newer entrants as well in the domain,” noted Madan Lamsal, Chairman, New Business Age. 

 

While Everest Bank was the title and naming sponsor of the path-breaking event, Colors Mobile and Prime CA training institute were the associate sponsors. Himalayan TV was the satellite partner and Headlines & Music FM the Radio Partner. 

 

The event came out to be a real success with the handsome flow of audience and started on the scheduled time frame. The evening started with a vibrant and colorful dance performance on the track “sundar desh Nepal.” Madan Lamsal, The Chairman of New Business Age addressed the audience and rendered a warm welcome to one and all present. Explaining the idea of awarding B-Schools, he said, “We wanted to make a substantive difference through this B-School rating and ranking.” He added, “We are not passing any judgement today. Through this award ceremony we salute your B-Schools efforts.” 

 

Accepting the award, R. Shiva Kandel, associate professor of Tillottama College stated that being regionally located, his college has put in a lot of hard work to create recognition in the country. Prakash Adhikari, the chairman of Presidency College said that it was ‘‘a dream come true after a prolonged fourteen years of struggle and hard work.’’ 

 

International Center for Academics (ICA), affiliated to Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has created a mark in the distance education category, the producers of 8 gold medalists in its past and also stood out twice as the best overseas center. Amit Giri, the CEO expressed his happiness at the award saying, “This means a lot to us and will inspire us to do much better.” The program coordinator of College of Applied Business (CAB), expressed hope that this kind of rating and ranking continues. 

 

Mitra Bandhu Poudel of Little Angels said that his college is doing something extra, so that they can stand out from the rest. 

 

Hari Bhakta Sharma, Managing Director, Deurali- Janta Pharmaceuticals, Vice President of CNI encouraged the students and supporters of higher studies. “This endeavour will help the nation grow ahead by accelerating the spirits of the winners,” he said, congratulating the New Business Age for organizing such event. On the same note Pradeep Jung Pandey, Chairman, Lomus Group of Companies, Vice President of FNCCI, said the growth of economy was in the hands of management schools.“ If there is no involvement of private sectors then the scenario will not be appreciating enough” he added. 

 

Yuvraj Sharma from WhiteHouse GSM (6th best) said that the B-Schools blend education with the industry. R.M Sherchan, CEO of the Thames College said his college believes in the click and portal concept rather than the age-old brick and mortar. Ujjwal Satyal from NATHM pointed out that his college’s efficiency was being recognized after 40 long years of journey. NATHM aims to open a 4-star hotel in the same campus accelerating the opportunities for the students. 

 

 

Shailendra Raj Giri, Managing Director, Real Solutions said that the curriculum of an institute needs to be up-to-date and the neighbouring countries’ case studies should be incorporated to improve the students’ knowledge base. 

 

Prakash Singh Pradhan, Campus Chief of Shanker Dev campus accepted the 2nd best position in the hierarchy of B-Schools with humility and informed that a BIM course and a BBA in Banking course in future will be added in his college. “The success of our institute is because of the faculty members and the student union,” said Pradhan. 

 

Prof. Ujjwal K Chowdhury said the event was not just an award ceremony but also a confluence and synergy of industry and education. Prof. Subas KC, Dean of the winning college, KUSOM said, “NBA has done a tremendous job by organizing this ceremony, it is in a way development of business in the country.” He added, “Being a spectator does not help the main action, you should be an actor.”