Himalayan College of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (HICAST)
Himalayan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (HICAST) was formed in 2000. This institution has provided education in Agriculture, Science, and Technology and was established to provide education in the field of agriculture. It provides education at Purbanchal University. The mission of HICAST is to have good results in the future by providing excellent academic education. The vision of Himalayan College is to provide quality education to its students. It is located in Kathmandu at Kalanki.
Himalayan College was established in 2000 A.D which was located in Bhaktapur. And it is shifted to Kalanki in Kathmandu about 2 years ago. Dr Binayak P Rajbhandari is the chairman and Dr Mohan Kharel, Dr Sarba Raj Khadka, Dr Mana Raj Kolachhapati, Mr Shreeram Pokharel, Dr Bidur Prasad Chaulagain, Ms Meena Pandit, Dr Yogesh Hari Shrestha, Dr Rebati Man Shrestha, Dr Neeraj Narayan Joshi, Ms Sagun Bista and Dr Dilli Ram Baral are the founder of the institution. HICAST has a qualified staff to produce skilled manpower in the fields of agriculture, livestock, and veterinary science as well as in food processing technology including dairy and meat technology. Himalayan College is conducting research and training activities and services like mobile veterinary camps. It has also been conducting awareness campaigns in different parts of our country. This institution has produced more than 1300 graduates both with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. There is quite a good number of Bachelor graduates that have joined for Master’s degrees in developed countries. Some of the graduates are doing Ph.D.
HICAST is affiliated with Purbanchal University and currently runs the BSc. Agriculture and BSc. Veterinary and Animal Husbandry under Bachelor Programs and MSc in Dairy Technology, MSc in Meat Technology, and MSc in Agri-Business Management under Masters Program.
Why Himalayan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology?
HICAST is dedicated to providing theoretical and practical education and various research and project work that create a positive impact on the industry of Nepal. HICAST consists of highly qualified teaching faculty members who believe in interactive and practical learning approaches. HICAST facilitates its students with modern laboratories and resourceful libraries for effective learning. The institution also provides applied learning opportunities on various livestock and crop farms belonging to individual farmers, DAO, NARC, DLS, DDC, etc. There is also a provision for internship and research activities that need to be carried out independently in relevant institutions/ industries/ NGOs/ other local communities. This provision has come up as an opportunity for the students to boost their self-empowerment as well as with some financial support from interested donors.
Facilities
HICAST provides scholarship facilities. It has been providing scholarships to 10% of the total students enrolled in various programmes. Among 10 percent, 50% of students are selected based on the result of merit in the entrance test while the rest 50% of the students are selected based on the reservation criteria which is developed by the University.
Admission Procedure
To join Himalayan College, students should have some courses mentioned by the university. The students should fill up the application form and take the entrance exam. There should be a positive result in the entrance exam. Students should meet the admission criteria which are mentioned by HICAST/PU. The institution mostly takes intakes in September. There are 5807 books in the library of the institution. Himalayan College has modern equipped laboratories for agriculture, veterinary, food equipment, and basic science-related subjects. It also provides a Cafeteria and canteen service and also has transportation facilities.