The University Grants Commission (UGC) Nepal has granted Quality Assurance and Accreditation (QAA) certification to two higher education institutions today, recognizing their commitment to maintaining academic quality and institutional excellence.
The accredited institutions are Himalaya College of Engineering and the School of Health and Allied Sciences under Pokhara University. The certification was officially presented during a ceremony held on April 17, 2026 (Baisakh 04, 2083) at the UGC Assembly Hall in Sanothimi, Bhaktapur.
According to UGC Nepal, the QAA certification is awarded after a comprehensive evaluation of an institution’s academic standards, governance, infrastructure, teaching-learning practices, research activities, and student support systems. The process involves self-study reports, peer review assessments, and on-site evaluations based on nationally defined quality indicators.
The accreditation reflects that the institutions have successfully met the required standards set by the University Grants Commission and are committed to continuous quality improvement in higher education.
Profile of the Newly Accredited Institutions
Himalaya College of Engineering
Himalaya College of Engineering (HCOE), established in 2000 AD and affiliated with Tribhuvan University, is a leading engineering institution located in Chyasal, Lalitpur. Managed by experienced academicians under the KMC Educational Network, the college is committed to delivering quality technical education through programs such as Bachelor of Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Architecture (B.Arch), BSc CSIT, and Bachelor of Computer Application.
With well-equipped infrastructure, modern laboratories, and a strong emphasis on practical learning through seminars, workshops, field visits, and project work, HCOE focuses on producing skilled and industry-ready graduates. The college also encourages innovation and extracurricular engagement, fostering overall student development alongside academic excellence in engineering and IT disciplines.
The college administration has expressed gratitude to its faculty members, staff, students, stakeholders, and guardians for their collective contribution in achieving this recognition.
Pokhara University School of Health and Allied Sciences
Pokhara University School of Health and Allied Sciences (PoU, SHAS), located in Dhungepatan, Lekhnath, Pokhara, is a prominent academic institution under Pokhara University dedicated to health sciences education and research. Established with a vision to contribute to improving public health and the overall quality of life, the school offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs including Bachelor of Public Health (BPH), Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Technology (BSc MLT), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSc Nursing), Bachelor of Nursing Science in Oncology, Bachelor of Optometry, Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Bachelor of Pharmacy, as well as master’s programs such as Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSc Medical Microbiology, and MSc Medical Biochemistry.
Operating under a credit-based semester system with continuous internal evaluation, SHAS emphasizes academic rigor, practical training, and research-oriented learning. Since its establishment and gradual expansion, the school has developed as a key center for producing skilled health professionals in Nepal through structured curricula, clinical exposure, and interdisciplinary learning.
With this latest inclusion, the QAA framework continues to expand its reach across diverse academic disciplines in Nepal, reinforcing the national agenda of quality assurance in higher education institutions.
