Lumbini Buddhist University has officially introduced a new postgraduate program titled Master’s in Unmanned Aircraft System, Aviation and Operation Management, under the School of Development Studies and Applied Sciences.
The newly launched program is a 2-year, 4-semester master’s degree delivered in a blended learning mode, combining theoretical instruction with practical and field-based training. The program carries a total of 60 credit hours and offers students the option to specialize in either management or engineering pathways, depending on their career interests.
Designed to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in UAV and drone technology, the program focuses on applications in areas such as aviation operations, remote sensing, GIS, surveillance, disaster response, agriculture, logistics, and media production.
Graduates will be prepared for diverse professional roles including UAV pilots, flight operation managers, drone mission planners, aerial survey specialists, GIS analysts, and UAV system technicians, with additional opportunities in defense and security sectors such as the Nepal Army and Nepal Police, as well as in commercial and research domains.
The program development followed the successful Validation Seminar–2026, conducted on March 1, 2026, which reviewed and assessed the academic structure and curriculum framework of the Master’s in Unmanned Aircraft System, Aviation and Operation Management. The seminar brought together experts in aerospace technology, engineering, and academia to evaluate course design, credit distribution, laboratory components, and industry relevance.
Experts appreciated the program’s balanced integration of technical and managerial aspects, including UAV structure design, navigation systems, power systems, aviation safety, and business strategy. Recommendations were made to strengthen simulation-based learning, enhance AI-enabled autonomous navigation modules, and expand practical training opportunities.
Regulatory compliance was a key focus of the review. The curriculum has been designed in alignment with guidelines from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, ensuring students are trained in airspace management, licensing systems, and safety protocols. The program also incorporates global aviation standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, Federal Aviation Administration, and European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
The curriculum further emphasizes innovation in UAV technology, including AI-driven autonomous systems, drone-based data acquisition, and applications in agriculture, disaster management, infrastructure monitoring, and environmental studies. The establishment of a Drone Innovation and Testing Center was also proposed to support research and development activities.
To ensure eligibility, applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks or a CGPA of 2.0 from a recognized institution.
With this initiative, Lumbini Buddhist University aims to strengthen Nepal’s capacity in advanced aviation technologies and produce skilled professionals ready to contribute to both national development and global UAV industries.
