Tribhuvan University Institute of Forestry

The Institute of Forestry (IOF) at Tribhuvan University is the first institute in Nepal fully committed to education and training in Forestry and Natural Resource Management. It was established as Nepal Forestry Institute in 1947 under the Nepal Government, Department of Forests at Singh Durbar in Kathmandu. It was moved to Supping (Bhim Phedi) in 1957 and then to Hetauda in 1965 in better physical facilities constructed by the Indian Co-operation Mission (ICM). The Institute merged into Tribhuvan University in July 1972 under the name “Institute of Forestry” and developed the infrastructure for Dean’s Office and Pokhara Campus in Pokhara, Kaski, with technical and financial assistance from the World Bank, International Development Agency (IDA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Vision
Strengthen forestry education in the country and contribute to sustainable management of natural resources, forests and biodiversity.

Mission
Establish IOF as a “central of excellence” academic and research institutions on forest and biodiversity sector

Institutional Goals: The main aim of the institute is the development of academically and technically sound human resources in the perspective of research, teaching and natural resource management.

Academic Programs
The Institute used to offer a two-year Certificate Level course in Forestry at Hetauda until 1981. Thereafter, in order to meet the demand for trained natural resource managers in Nepal, it launched two academic programs at newly established Pokhara Campus in 1981: a two-year Technical Certificate in Forestry (TCF), which is now phased out, and a three-year Bachelor of Science in Forestry (B.Sc. F.), which evolved into a four-year program in 1995. The IOF started offering Master of Science and Ph.D. programs in Forestry in 2004. Currently, it offers six Master courses ie; Master of Science in Forestry, Master of Science in Natural Resource Management and Rural Development, and Master of Science in Watershed Management, Master of Science in Wildlife Management and Biodiversity Conservation, Master of Science in Mountain Environment and Development Studies and Master of Science in Community Forestry. The Doctoral program of the IOF is research based and is open for all those interested to pursue PhD in Forestry and related field

Teaching
The IOF offers courses pertinent to various disciplines of NRM and modifies its curricula as time necessitates. The current curriculum entails basic science and forestry courses with emphasis on Forest Management, Community Forestry, Agroforestry, Eco-tourism, Park and Recreation Management, Environmental Science, Wildlife, Protected Area Management, Soil Conservation & Watershed Management, etc. Teaching and Research at the IOF preserve and enrich creative traditions through well designed educational programs. These programs address the current forestry related needs and interests of civil society in Nepal. The distinguished history of access and quality of the IOF continues today, providing graduate and undergraduate students with infinite opportunities to make a difference.

Currently, more than 700 students are studying at the institute. Graduates of the institute can work in public service offices, University faculties, local governments, Ministry of forest and various departments involved at national and international organizations in the field of forestry, natural resources, Conservation areas and parks.

Research: The IOF is conducting research and consultancies on forestry and allied sector. It has implemented long term forestry related research in collaboration with many national and international universities. In addition, the faculties are providing consultancies services to many national and international agencies on forestry, climate change, rural development and watershed management. Institute of Forestry publishes the scientific journal “FORESTRY” Journal of Institute of Forestry, Nepal which is an annual publication of peer reviewed articles with DOI. Students and faculty are participating in national and international conferences, trainings and research activities in collaboration with various institutions and organizations.

Partnership & Theme Coordinator:

Prof. Bir Bahadur Khanal Chhetri, PhD
Dean
Institute of Forestry
Tribhuvan University
E-mail: dean@iof.tu.edu.np

Read more information:

www.iof.edu.np