Distinguished academician, structural engineering expert, and former founding Dean of Manmohan Technical University brings decades of academic leadership, research excellence, and institutional development experience to Purbanchal University.
Biratnagar, Nepal | October 2026
Purbanchal University has appointed Prof. Dr. Prachand Man Pradhan as the Dean of its Faculty of Engineering. A distinguished academician, accomplished researcher, and experienced institutional leader, Prof. Dr. Pradhan brings more than three decades of professional experience spanning engineering education, scientific research, academic administration, and technical advisory services. He joined Purbanchal University from October 1, 2026.
His appointment marks an important leadership transition for the Faculty of Engineering, offering an opportunity to advance academic excellence, strengthen research and innovation, modernize engineering education, and expand collaboration with national and international institutions.
A Distinguished Journey in Engineering Education and Research
Prof. Dr. Pradhan’s academic journey reflects a sustained commitment to engineering education, scientific inquiry, and the development of resilient infrastructure.
He earned his Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, India, in 1991, followed by a Master of Science in Structural Engineering from the Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Nepal, in 2000. His pursuit of advanced knowledge also took him to prestigious international institutions, including the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee and Seoul National University, South Korea, where he undertook specialized academic courses in earthquake engineering and structural dynamics.
In 2014, he earned his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Kathmandu University, specializing in the structural behavior of reinforced concrete frames and masonry infill systems under lateral loading.
In recognition of his academic accomplishments, he received the prestigious Nepal Bidhya Bhushan, Class ‘Ka’ (Gold Medal) in 2015, one of Nepal’s distinguished national academic honors.
A Proven Record of Academic Leadership
Throughout his career, Prof. Dr. Pradhan has held significant academic and administrative responsibilities, contributing to institutional development, engineering education, and research capacity building.
From July 2021 to July 2025, he served as the Founding Dean of the School of Engineering at Manmohan Technical University, where he contributed to establishing the academic and institutional foundations of its engineering education programs.
Previously, he served as Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at Kathmandu University, where his responsibilities encompassed academic leadership, departmental development, teaching, and research supervision. His earlier academic appointments included service as Assistant Professor and Head of Department at Khwopa Engineering College.
As a Professor of Civil Engineering at Kathmandu University, he has also contributed to the development of future engineers and researchers through teaching, postgraduate supervision, and collaborative research.
Advancing Research, Innovation, and Disaster Resilience
An established researcher in structural and earthquake engineering, Prof. Dr. Pradhan has made contributions to seismic hazard assessment, earthquake-resistant construction, reinforced concrete structures, sustainable construction materials, and disaster-resilient infrastructure.
His research portfolio also encompasses interdisciplinary areas such as landslide assessment, flood susceptibility modeling, and the application of computational and machine-learning approaches to natural-hazard analysis.
Beyond academic research, he has contributed his technical expertise to national initiatives, including activities related to the revision of Nepal’s building codes, construction-material standards, and hydropower infrastructure design guidelines. His involvement in collaborative research initiatives with international academic institutions further reflects his engagement in knowledge exchange and research partnerships.
A New Chapter for Purbanchal University’s Faculty of Engineering
Prof. Dr. Pradhan assumes leadership of the Faculty of Engineering at a time when engineering education is undergoing significant transformation, driven by emerging technologies, evolving industry requirements, sustainability challenges, and the growing importance of interdisciplinary research.
His extensive experience in academic governance, engineering research, and institutional development provides a valuable foundation for addressing these evolving demands.
The appointment presents opportunities to strengthen outcome-based engineering education, promote research and innovation, enhance faculty development, encourage industry-academia collaboration, and expand national and international academic partnerships.
With its constituent School of Engineering in Biratnagar and network of affiliated engineering colleges, Purbanchal University plays an important role in developing the technical workforce required for Nepal’s infrastructure, industrial, and technological advancement.
Prof. Dr. Pradhan’s leadership is expected to contribute to the Faculty’s continued pursuit of quality engineering education, meaningful research, and greater engagement with the engineering profession and society.
Looking Ahead: Excellence, Innovation, and Impact
As Purbanchal University enters this new phase of academic leadership, the Faculty of Engineering has an opportunity to build upon its existing strengths while responding to emerging challenges in engineering education and research.
Prof. Dr. Pradhan’s combination of scholarly accomplishments, institutional leadership, and experience in nationally relevant engineering research positions him to contribute to these efforts.
The Faculty of Engineering extends a warm welcome to Prof. Dr. Prachand Man Pradhan and looks forward to a productive tenure dedicated to academic excellence, research innovation, institutional advancement, and the development of future-ready engineering professionals.