NEWSLETTER- ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & MANAGEMENT (AITM) - Knowledge Village,

Khumaltar Heights,

Satdobato, Lalitpur, Nepal

Tel: 5548314, 5552375

Email: info@aitm.edu.np

Web: www.aitm.edu.np13th ISSUE, 19 July 2019

Dear Students, Alumni, Parents, Guardians, Faculty, Staff and Promoter Friends and other Friends and Well-wishers of Asian Institute of Technology and Management,

It is a pleasure to share with all of you that our School of Hotel Management (SHM) was selected as the "Best Hotel Management College of Nepal 2019" by the jury during the “NewBiz Best B School Award and Conclave Ceremony” on 21st of June 2019. AITM’s SHM was selected as the best hotel management college among more than 70 Nepalese Hotel Management colleges contesting for the award and recognition. In 2014, our School of Hotel Management had been awarded “The Second Best Hotel and Tourism College”. I wish to take this opportunity to thank the senior management of SHM, the faculty, staff and students for contributing to this very laudable recognition. I am confident that SHM will continue to make AITM proud in the coming years as well.

We are also very pleased to be informed that our in ternat ional af f i l ia t ing par tner, International Management Institute (IMI), Luzerne, Switzerland has been ranked as the 12th best hospitality school globally by QS

World University Rankings 2019. I wish to congratulate Mr. Heinz Buerki, the founder and the main guiding spirit of IMI, Prof. Theodore Benetatos, CEO and Academic Dean, Prof. Gavin R. R. Caldwell, Director of Operations, Human Resources and Partner Schools and all the members of IMI for this very praiseworthy recognition. We are very proud to be associated with IMI and conducting the IMI program in Nepal.

You are all aware that from 2010 onwards, when we became partners, and later took full ownership of AITM in 2013, our focus has been on achieving academic excellence. It is in the pursuit of this that we had to phase out a number of academic programs to bring in better academic programs of more reputable universities with better academic track record. The political changes and the “transitional and devisive politics”, the lack of “coherent and visionary policies” were instrumental in our inability to get new programs, in spite of our best efforts.

It is in this context that we have been exploring the possibility, especially over the past one and half years, of getting a strong financial partner with strong academic interests, who could inject sizeable funds into AITM operations as well as bring new international programs so that we can eventually of become a “private Sagarmatha” university. This is a dream that we all share and has united us all through the many years of struggle and disappointment.

I am happy to report that we have found a very strong partner, who is able to inject additional funds, as well as bring in new academic programs. We will continue to focus on “academic excellence” as always. We will continue to pursue our dream of establishing an excellent private Sagarmatha University. I will be calling an AGM in the 2nd week of August 2019 to discuss with the shareholders this new

development and the way forward.

Last but not the least, I wish to request all of you to help to enroll good students for Grade XI in science and management during the ongoing admission period, as well as enroll students for the undergraduate hotel management program of IMI, as soon as NEB Grade XII final results are published.

I am looking forward to a very exciting and fulfilling new academic year.

Message fromThe Chairman

Prof. Dr. Sriram Bhagut Mathe

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AITM ACADEMIC OPERATIONAL TEAM

Prof. Dr. Sriram Bhagut MatheChairman

Mr. Pramod PradhanBoard Representative

Mr. Bhupadas RajbhandariExecutive Director

Mr. Basant JoshiHead, School of Hotel Management

Dr. Rabindra Raj GiriHead, Dept. of Civil Engineering

Mr. Hari Krishna SaijuHead, Dept. of Biotechnology

Mr. Rabin ShresthaHead, +2 School

NEWS & EVENTSSCHOOL OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT

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AITM AWARDED “THE BEST HOTEL MANAGEMENT COLLEGE 2019”

AITM School of Hotel Management (SHM) was awarded the "Best Hotel Management College of Nepal 2019" by the jury during the “NewBiz Best B School Award and

Conclave Ceremony” on 21st of June 2019. In 2014, AITM School of Hotel Management was awarded “The Second Best Hotel and Tourism College”. This year,

AITM’s SHM was selected as the best hotel management college among more than 70 Hotel Management colleges in Nepal. Mr. Bhupadas Rajbhandari, Executive

Director of AITM and Mr. Basant Prasad Joshi, Head of School of Hotel Management, received the award on behalf of AITM School of Hotel Management. Prof. Theodore

Benetatos, CEO and Academic Dean of IMI, Luzerne, Switzerland, and Prof. Dr. Vincent Wu, Dean of Hainan College of Vocation and Technique, Haikou, China, gave their

congratulatory messages on this very significant achievement of AITM. AITM School of Hotel Management organized a felicitation program for its faculty, staff members

and those who have contributed to the success of the School of Hotel Management.

CURRENT STATUS OF BHM CLASSES

AITM STUDENTS WENT FOR OVERSEAS INTERNSHIPS IN SANYA, CHINA

Twenty six students of School of Hotel Management studying in eighth semester went for one year

internship in different five star hotels in China on 13th May 2019. An agreement with Hainan College of

Vocation and Technique, Haikou, China and AITM has paved the way for the students to undertake

their final year of internship in different five star hotels like St. Regis, Hilton and Sheraton in Sanya, a

world famous tourist destination for vacationers.

During the internship, students will work under four major departments i.e. Food Production, Food and

Beverage Service, Front office and Housekeeping for practical on the job experience.

Year/ Semester Semester Start No. of Students Pre-Board Exam Board Exam

BHM IMI-VI 16th June 2019 76 29th September 2019 17th November 2019

BHM IMI-IV 16th June 2019 70 29th September 2019 17th November 2019

BHM IMI-II 16th June 2019 56 29th September 2019 17th November 2019

NEWS & EVENTSSCHOOL OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT

AITM STUDENT AWARDED WITH “THE HERO OF THE MONTH” TITLE

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We are very proud to be informed that one of our students

of Hotel Management, Mr. Tej Thagunna, who is currently

undertaking industrial training in Hilton Hotel China, has

recently received the title of “The Hero of the Month”. We

wish to congratulate Mr. Tej Thagunna for his splendid

achievement within a very short period of joining the

Industrial Training.

SCHOOL OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT FACULTIES AND STAFF FELICITATED

To celebrate AITM School of Hotel Management being awarded as “The Best Hotel

Management School of Nepal 2019”, AITM School of Hotel Management

organized a felicitation program for the dedicated staff and faculty members on 4th

July 2019. Twenty staff and thirty faculty members who have contributed to AITM’s

success for the last many years were awarded with the certificate of appreciation.

School of Hotel Management has started a month long workshop on

“Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)” for the sixth

semester students of SHM.

HACCP is a management system in which food safety is addressed through

the analysis and control of biological, chemical, and physical hazards from

raw material production, procurement and handling, to manufacturing,

distribution and consumption of the finished product.

In the month long workshop, representatives and experts from National

Certification and Management Nepal (NATCM-Nepal) will explain about food

hygiene, food contamination, food poisoning, microorganisms, food hazard

and different food borne diseases. About sixty students of semester six will

attend this seminar which will be followed by an hour examination related to

the workshop and question & answer session where students will put

forward their queries.

HACCP WORKSHOP FOR SEMESTER-VI STUDENTS COMMENCED

School of Hotel Management organized an orientation program for Semester II, IV

and VI on 24th of June 2019. On this occasion, Mr. Basant P. Joshi, Head of

School, briefed the students about the course of study, journals, notes, behavior,

grooming, internal assessments, attitude, punctuality, practical, student activities

and do's and don’ts of the School of Hotel Management.

ORIENTATION FOR SEMESTER II, IV AND VI STUDENTS

On 14th of July 2019, Mr. Subash Kr. Jha, Ex. faculty member of Tourism and

Hospitality at AITM and currently working as the Head of Administration at OP Jindal

Global University Gurgaun, New Dehli delivered a guest lecture for BHM 6th

semester students on the Prospects and Challenges of Hospitality Management

Students. During the lecture, students raised many questions relating to their career

in Hospitality.

A GUEST LECTURE FOR SEMESTER-VI STUDENTS CONDUCTED

IMI, Switzerland, the affiliating partner school of AITM, has

been ranked as the 12th best hospitality school globally by

QS World University Rankings 2019. Student satisfaction,

academic results and future employability are the key

indicators in which the award has been given.

The QS ranking is independent and based on academic

reputation, employer reputation and research impact, thus offering a great holistic

view of the work of a school. The list places IMI amongst the very best of institutions

offering hospitality management education internationally and is a testament to the

hard work put in by the faculty and support staff of IMI.

IMI RANKED THE TWELFTH IN QS WORLD RANKING-2019

DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

CURRENT STATUS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY CLASSES

FAREWELL PROGRAM FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY 2014 BATCH STUDENTS

The Farewell Program to the students of B. Tech in Biotechnology 2014 Batch was organized by the Department of Biotechnology on Friday 10 May 2019. The opening

remarks were given by Mr. Promod Pradhan, Board of Director, AITM. He highlighted on the importance of the Alumni of the college and relevance of Biotechnology in

the present scenario in the world. In the program, Mr. Bhupa Das Rajbhandari, Executive Director, AITM also shared his views on the responsibilities of the graduates and

different aspects related to the job and future career.

In the program, tokens of love were distributed to the outgoing students. They were felicitated by AITM team for their achievements. At the end of the program, Mr. Hari

Krishna Saiju, Head, Department of Biotechnology, AITM, delivered the vote of thanks. He highlighted on the achievements of those who completed the B. Tech in

Biotechnology and encouraged them to achieve similar success in future also. The program was conducted by Mr. Rabin Shrestha, Deputy Head of the Biotechnology

Department in the presence of Heads of Depar tments of different faculties and faculty members. Depar tment of Biotechnology wishes to thank the School of Hotel

Management for their help in providing the venue and their wonderful hospitality management during the program.

Semester / Batch No. of Students Semester Start Mid Term Exam Pre-Board Exam Board Exam

VIII Semester / 2015 20 10th June 2019 11th July 2019 22nd September 2019 11th November 2019 (Tentative)

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NEWS & EVENTS

THE RESULT OF 6TH AND 8TH SEMESTERS B. TECH BIOTECHNOLOGY

The results of 6th and 8th semesters of B. Tech Biotechnology Purbanchal

University Final Examination held from 4th to 19th Mangsir 2075 were

published on 26th of Baishak 2076 (9 May 2019). The students who scored

highest GPA in their respective semesters in the Final Examination are given

below. Department of Biotechnology congratulates all students who have

passed the examination.

Semester Name of Student GPA

VIII

Abhishek Ghimire 3.83

Prithivi Jung Thapa 3.83

Richa Khatiwada 3.83

Sahil Shakya 3.83

Subashana Gurung 3.83

VI Prakriti Maharjan 4

Srisha Kunwar 4

COMMENCEMENT OF CLASSES OF BIOTECHNOLOGY 8TH SEMESTER

The classes of Biotechnology 8th semesters commenced from 10 June 2019. The students of 8th semester are having project work, Toxicology and Cancer Biology as

elective subjects and Seminar presentation. The seminar topics have to be chosen by the students from International Journals of Biotechnology on the interesting,

popular and recent developments on Biotechnology.

EXHIBITION STALL AT ‘SCIENCE STREET FAIR’ ORGANIZED BY NAST

Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) organized a Science Street Fair at

Jawlakhel Ground on 11-12th June, 2019 with the objective to promote science and

disseminate information about the current happenings in the field of science and

technology. The Department of Biotechnology also presented its scientific research

findings, along with Biotechnology Society of Nepal (BSN). Research on pre-basic seeds of

potatoes and tissue culture of Paulownia, Lily, and Potato were presented by students and

faculty of Dept. of Biotechnology. The science street fair received around 10,000 public

attendees, most of whom were secondary level students. The stall was visited by Hon.

Ishwor Pokhrel (officiating Prime Minister and Defence Minister) and Hon. Giriraj Mani

Pokhrel (Education, Science & Technology Minister), notable scientists and government

officials.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

PBL SOUTH ASIA: AITM FACULTIES ATTENDED PROJECT DISSEMINATION EVENT HELD IN HOTEL GREENWICH VILLAGE, LALITPUR

NEWS & EVENTS

Aalto Global Impact (AGI) of Aalto University, Finland, is the lead partner of a

recently launched project “Strengthening Problem Based Learning in South

Asian Universities”. After the kick-off workshop of the project held from Feb. 04

to 08, 2019 in Aalto University, the subsequent event of the project was

organized in Nepal from February 18 to March 01, 2019. The event in Nepal

included students’ first pilot case study at Dhungentar (Nuwakot), bilateral

meetings of the partner Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Nepal with Aalto

project coordination team, faculty workshop in Kathmandu University, and

project dissemination event in Hotel Greenwich Village, Lalitpur.

The project dissemination event was organized by Sagarmatha Engineering

College (SEC) in Hotel Greenwich Village, Lalitpur on Feb. 28, 2019. The aim of

the event was to disseminate information on the objective and importance of

PBL South Asia project among academicians, faculties, administrators, media

and other concerned authorities working in the higher education sector. Over

seventy people including faculties, academicians and students from partner

HEIs of PBL South Asia project in Nepal and Bhutan, faculties from other

Nepalese HEIs, media persons and the visiting project coordinator, faculties and

students from Aalto University attended the dissemination event. Ms.

Shakuntala Acharya from Indian Institute of Science (IISc.), Bangalore, joined

the event via video link. The program began with welcome speech from

Sagarmatha Engineering College. Then, Ms. Riina Subra (Senior Manager, Aalto

AITM CAMPUS CLEANING CAMPAIGN-2076

AITM periodically organizes campus cleaning campaign with the involvement of its staff and faculties to

promote closeness among the employees and faculty. The first cleaning campaign of 2076 BS was organized

on April 26, 2019. The head of Civil Engineering Department Dr. Rabindra Raj Giri, and head of School of Hotel

Management, Mr. Basanta P. Joshi, prepared the cleaning plan. The Executive Director of AITM, Mr. Bhupa Das

Rajbhandari, delivered a few opening remarks to the participants and started the cleaning program at 9:30 AM

on the day. The campaign continued until noon. The program ended after the participants took lunch in AITM

Fun café. The program was very useful to strengthen bonding among the employees.

Global Impact and Lead Coordinator, PBL South Asia project) delivered a

presentation on PBL South Asia project followed by question-answer session.

The joint team of Aalto University and AITM students, who conducted the

students’ first pilot case at Dhungentar, then delivered their presentation on the

pilot case and its preliminary findings. Many members of the audience put

forward their queries and comments to the students after their presentation. A

group of students from Nepal Engineering College (nec) also delivered a short

presentation on their PBL like activities in nec to the audience of the

dissemination program. After the students’ presentations were over, Ms. Lena

Sthapit and Mr. Prakash Dulal from AITM delivered their presentation on

“Reflections and Experiences of Ongoing Interdisciplinary PBL Courses: A

Perspective of Nepalese HEIs”. A parallel interview session of the students

involved in students’ first pilot case at Dhungentar was also conducted by

Shakuntala Acharya through video conference during AITM’s presentation. The

formal program ended with lunch and networking among the participants. A

meeting of key faculties from partner institutions of the project was held to

assess the students’ pilot case at Dhungentar, their presentation and results in

second half of the day after the lunch. The future activities of the PBL South Asia

project including students’ case studies were also discussed in the meeting. The

dissemination event was concluded with group photographs.

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DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

AITM AND SHOOLINI UNIVERSITY, INDIA, SIGNED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU)

NEWS & EVENTS

Asian Institute of Technology and Management (AITM) and Shoolini University, India signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on June 05, 2019 for the exchange

of faculties, scholars and students, and partnership in research activities between the two institutions. Professor Ashutosh Mohanthy, Director, Disaster Management

and Climate Change, from Shoolini University and Mr. Pramod Sagar Singh Pradhan, Board Director, from AITM signed the MOU. Prof. Mohanthy was accompanied by

Dr. Lobzang Stanzen, Associate Professor, Agronomy, from Shoolini University and Dr. Rabindra Raj Giri, Ms. Lena Sthapit and Mr. Pravakar Pradhan from AITM were

also present in the MOU signing ceremony. After signing the MOU, the two-member team from Shoolini University had a tour of AITM facilities.

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AN EXPLORATORY MEETING HELD BETWEEN AITM AND VISITORS FROM DENMARK

A three-member team, comprising of Dr. Fleming Topsoe, Mr. Douglas Malcolm and Mr. Anirudh Shah, visited AITM on May 31, 2019 to discuss on the possibility of

collaboration with AITM in a project entitled “Kabilashi Sustainable Rural Initiative” (KSRI) in Kabilashi, a poor rural area of Sarlahi district, Nepal. Dr. Fleming Topsoe is a

retired mathematician from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Mr. Anirudh Shah is the lead person of Rural Initiative Nepal (RIN), a non-governmental

organization (NGO) based in Sarlahi district, and Mr. Douglas Malcolm, a Danish national, is an expert in urban planning and advisor of RIN. Dr. Rabindra Raj Giri, Ms.

Lena Sthapit and Mr. Prakash Dulal participated in the meeting from AITM side.

The meeting focused on the above-mentioned project to construct low-cost residential houses and other facilities like libraries in Kabilashi of Sarlahi district in Nepal by

using cement stabilized earthen block (CSEB) technology and involvement of AITM in the project for technical support. The CSEB technology has become very popular

in Nepal after the 2015 earthquakes, and AITM has good technical experience on CSEB technology due to its involvement in the reconstruction project at Dhungentar,

Nuwakot district together with the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and students’ research work on CSEB. The possibility of using

AITM’s CSEB production machines in KSRI project in Kabilashi was also explored in the meeting. After the meeting, the team observed soil mechanics laboratory

facilities and CSEB production machine at AITM.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

NEWS & EVENTS

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AITM EMPLOYEES OF THE QUARTERS AWARDED

Asian Institute of Technology & Management (AITM) evaluates its employees quarterly based on a

standard and established procedure, and awards the best employee in each quarter. The best

employee award motivates the employees in their job resulting in better performance. In this

regard, Mr. Deepak Bahadur Chand and Mr. Dipendra Desar were declared as the best employees in

the third and fourth quarters of 2075 BS respectively.

A general meeting of AITM staff was called on July 04, 2019 and Mr. Bhupa Das Rajbhandari, the

Executive Director of AITM, felicitated and awarded Mr. Chand and Mr. Desar by handing over

cheques to them at the end of the staff meeting. The AITM family once again would like to

congratulate both Mr. Chand and Mr. Desar for their success to be the best employee in the third and

fourth quarters of 2075 BS respectively.

AITM FACULTIES ATTENDED PBL SOUTH ASIA WORKSHOP IN NEPAL ENGINEERING COLLEGE (NEC), BHAKTAPUR

Asian Institute of Technology and Management (AITM), Kathmandu University (KU), Nepal Engineering College (nec) and Sagarmatha Engineering College (SEC) are

four Nepalese higher education institutions (HEIs) involved in “Strengthening Problem Based Learning in South Asian Universities” project led by Aalto University,

Finland and co-funded by European Commission’s Erasmus+.

Nepal Engineering College organized a half-day workshop in its campus in Changunarayan, Bhaktapur on June 13, 2019 to disseminate information to its faculties on

the project, its objectives, activities and outcomes. The lead person for the project from AITM, Ms. Lena Sthapit, was also invited in the workshop as a resource person.

Dr. Rabindra Raj Giri and Mr. Pravakar Pradhan from AITM also attended the workshop along with Ms. Lena Sthapit. Mostly teaching faculties of Nepal Engineering

College participated in the workshop.

The program began with a short remark from Dr. Hari Krishna Shrestha, Principal, Nepal Engineering College, followed by a presentation on PBL South Asia project from

Mr. Dhurga Prasad Bhandari, Associate Professor and lead person for the project from nec side. Then, group activities related to problem based learning were organized

for the participants and the session was jointly conducted by Mr. Durga Prasad Bhandari and Mr. Rupesh Dahi Shrestha from nec. After a short tea break, Ms. Lena

Sthapit from AITM delivered a presentation entitled “Lessons Learned from the First PBL Pilot Case in Dhungentar” followed by a question and answer session. Finally,

Mr. Durga Prasad Bhandari outlined the upcoming events of the project and concluded the program.

NEWS & EVENTSHIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL

CLASS & STREAM-WISE DISTRIBUTION OF STUDENTS

Grade

Stream

Class Start

No. of classes to be delivered until the end of session

No. of Students

Pre-Board Exams (Tentatively)

Board Exams (Tentatively)

XI Science &

Management 1 July 2019 -

In admission process for academic session

2019 / 2020 16th March 2020 10th May 2020

XII Science &

Management 1st July 2019 156 82 1st March 2020 10th May 2020

PARTICIPATED IN KANTIPUR HISSAN EDUFAIR 2019

AITM AS A GCE A- LEVEL EXAM VENUE

Asian Institute of Technology and Management (AITM), Khumaltar, Lalitpur was selected as a venue for Cambridge International General Certificate of Education

Examination (GCE A-Level Examination). The Examination was conducted from 2 May to 11 June 2019 by British Council, Nepal. The students of various A-level

colleges of Kathmandu Valley attended the examination.

WhiteHouse Secondary School, offering the Plus Two Program in AITM

participated in Kantipur HISSAN Edufair organized by HISSAN (Higher

Secondary School Association of Nepal) from 23 to 26 May 2019 at

Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu. HISSAN organizes Educational Fair every year to

provide up-to-date information related to educational opportunities in Nepal

especially for the students of SEE. The students as well as the faculty members

and staff of Plus Two program participated as volunteers and helped to brief

about AITM and the programs offered in the college. Large number of SEE

appeared students visited the stall of AITM and collected the information about

the college.

COMMENCEMENT OF CLASSES OF CLASS XII

According to NEFCCN Calendar, the classes of XII Science and Management commenced from Monday

16 Asar 2076 (1 July 2019). The classes of XII in Asian Institute of Technology and Management (AITM),

Little Angels School (LA), Xavier Academy, Ideal Model School, Laboratory School and Bhanubhakta

Memorial School started from same date as per schedule of calendar in all associated colleges of

NEFCCN.

VISIT OF STUDENTS FROM DIFFERENT BRIDGE COURSE INSTITUTES

Plus Two Wing of Asian Institute of Technology and Management (AITM)

organized the students visit program from different Bridge Course Institutes to

the college. The students observed the facilities that are available in the college

and were briefed about the college and different programs that are running

currently. Some of the visitor students shared their experiences of their visit to

the college and most of the students were impressed by the visit. The students

from different Bridge Course Institutes like Polestar, Pathashala, Eduhub,

Progress, Kathmandu Valley, Smart Education and Orion visited the college. In

the Program, opening remarks were given by Mr. Bhupa Das Rajbhandari,

Executive Director of the Asian Institute of Technology and Management

(AITM). Mr. Basant P. Joshi, Head of School of Hotel Management, AITM, gave

motivational talk to the students and Mr. Rabin Shrestha, Head of Plus Two

Program briefed about the infrastructure and facilities available in the college. In

the visit, Lucky Draw Program was also conducted and some of the students

shared their views about the college too.

ADMISSION FOR CLASS XI

Admission for new academic session 2019/20 in

class XI Science and Management streams are

going on from 13 Asar 2076 (8 June 2019).

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