Kathmandu. For the first time in the educational history of Nepal, a master’s level course on ‘drone aviation’ is set to begin. The Lumbini Buddhist University has launched ‘Masters in Drone Aviation’ program under its Faculty of Applied Sciences.
Prior to this, such high-level educational programs related to drones and unmanned aircraft systems were not available even at the bachelor’s level in Nepal. Experts from different universities of China, Thailand and Vietnam along with experts from Nepal are involved in the curriculum development of this program.
According to Pravin Bhattarai, an expert and professor involved in the development of the curriculum, aeronautical engineers from Abu Dhabi and experts working at Madras Institute of Technology in India have also contributed to it.
Bhattarai said drone technology is very relevant considering Nepal’s geographical complexity. According to him, the course will mainly work in logistics and transportation, data security and sovereignty, tourism and mapping, employment and start-up.
Bhattarai said that the commercial use of drones can be done especially for the transportation of medicines, food grains and other cargo in remote areas, GIS mapping, survey and tourism promotion.
According to him, there is a risk in the data security of sensitive areas as the ‘brain’ (flight controller) of foreign drones currently being used in Nepal is under the control of foreign companies. He said that it would be of great help in national security and military purposes if human resources capable of developing drones and software development were developed in Nepal.
He said that the study related to drones is also necessary to carry out research works using drones in mapping, survey and tourism promotion. He said that it is necessary to prepare skilled human resources for the production and commercial operation of drones under the ‘Make in Nepal’ concept.
The university has already opened admissions for this program. In the initial phase, a quota of 20 students has been fixed in a class. Students who have graduated in engineering, aviation, management or other disciplines and are interested in drone technology can apply.
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