Pokhara University has officially launched a four-year Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (BAIDS) program, making it the first university in Nepal to introduce a bachelor’s degree that combines majors in both Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science.
The new program will be offered at Shramik Shanti Campus, Chyasal, Lalitpur, a constituent campus of Pokhara University. The program has a total of 48 seats, of which 9 seats are allocated for scholarships, and the remaining seats will be regular-paying seats.
Shramik Shanti Campus, which has been operating programs affiliated with Tribhuvan University, has recently been converted into a constituent campus after a memorandum of understanding(MoU) to operate the campus as a constituent of Pokhara University was signed on Shrawan 27, 2082. The MoU was signed by Pokhara University's Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Bed Raj K.C. and Registrar Co-Prof. Dr. Ajay Thapa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shramik Shanti Campus, Hari Krishna Byanjakar, and Campus Chief Roshan Mainali. Additionally, the MoU was signed between Pokhara University's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Bedraj K.C., and Tribhuvan University's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Binod Aryal.
With this, the number of constituent colleges under Pokhara University has reached five. Earlier, the School of Business in 2056 BS, the School of Health and Allied Sciences in 2057 BS, the School of Development and Social Engineering in 2060 BS, and the School of Engineering in 2066 BS were established as constituent campuses. Currently, 42 programs are operating in these four constituent schools, and more than 3,400 students are studying.
Currently in Nepal, several universities offer separate programs in these fields. Tribhuvan University’s School of Mathematical Sciences and Kathmandu University’s School of Science are running Bachelor’s programs in Data Science, while Kathmandu University’s School of Engineering and Purbanchal University’s School of Science and Technology (along with its affiliated colleges) are offering Bachelor in Artificial Intelligence programs. Additionally, Softwarica College of IT and E-commerce, affiliated with Coventry University, UK, also provides an AI-focused bachelor’s program.
With the launch of BAIDS, Pokhara University becomes the pioneer in Nepal to provide an integrated degree in both AI and Data Science, addressing the growing demand for professionals skilled in cutting-edge technologies that are shaping industries worldwide.
This program is expected to create new opportunities for students aspiring to specialize in fields such as machine learning, big data analytics, robotics, natural language processing, and advanced computational intelligence, thereby contributing to Nepal’s advancement in the digital era.
