About Public Administration Education in TU and Central Department of Public Administration(CDPA)

The proposal for establishing the Institute of Public Administration in Nepal was first mentioned in the report of the High-Power Commission on Administrative Reform, headed by Mr. Tanka Prasad Acharya, the Prime Minister of Nepal in 1956. However, the creation of the Institute did not materialize for a long time. In 1961, as part of a systematic effort to study both the theory and practice of public administration, a course in public administration was introduced as an academic program within the Political Science Department at Tribhuvan University (Pradhan, 1976; Tiwari, 2000).

Initially, the Center for Economic Development and Administration (CEDA) launched a one-year diploma course in Public Administration with support from USAID. With the introduction of the Institute of Business Administration, Commerce, and Public Administration (IBACPA), two levels of courses were developed by the university. On August 1, 1976 (Shrawan 17, 2033 BS), the Public Administration Campus began offering a full-fledged, two-year academic program called the "Diploma in Public Administration (DPA)." Given the multidisciplinary nature of the subject, the DPA was upgraded to a Master of Public Administration (MPA) in 1979 (2036 BS). These programs were significant milestones, marking the introduction of policy science as an academic discipline in Nepal.

Recognizing the unique nature of public administration education in Nepal, the High-Level Education Commission of 1981 recommended establishing a "School of Public Administration." To further this idea, Tribhuvan University formed a committee in 1986 to explore granting autonomy to the Public Administration Campus. The committee recommended establishing a separate "Graduate School of Public Administration" (Bhatta et al., 2044 BS). Acknowledging the importance of public management skills for the country’s administrative system, Tribhuvan University created the Central Department of Public Administration (CDPA) in 1985 as a separate entity within the Faculty of Management (FoM).

In an effort to expand public administration education, Tribhuvan University introduced a Post Graduate Diploma in Police Science (PGDPS) in 2006, which has been operated by Nepal Police at the National Academy of Police Training in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu.

In 2011, Tribhuvan University launched a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Public Administration, a three-semester program designed to enhance students' research capabilities in administrative science, public policy, organizational behavior, and local governance. Public policy is a core subject of the M.Phil. program, adding significant value to the field of policy science.

In 2013, a Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA) program was introduced with the objective of providing knowledge of administrative sciences, developing mid-level professionals, and equipping students with research skills. In 2016/17, the CDPA also developed a Master of Police Sciences (MPS) course, which was launched through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nepal Police by the FOM.

Functions of the CDPA

As per Tribhuvan University’s Organization and Academic Administration Related Rule of 1993 (2050 BS), Chapter 4, Rule No. 15, the responsibilities of the Central Department of Public Administration (CDPA) are as follows:

• The CDPA conducts academic research, oversees related academic programs, and manages the department's annual schedule.
• The department is responsible for recommending the necessary number of teaching positions, dividing work among teachers and staff, and managing other teaching-related duties.
• The CDPA ensures the development and adoption of appropriate teaching materials and methods to maintain the quality of education in related subjects.
• The department organizes textbooks, research journals, and other resources in its library or affiliated libraries to support academic learning.
• The CDPA manages and maintains buildings, classrooms, and other physical infrastructure required for the department’s operations.
• The department oversees the admission process for students and arranges departmental exams, ensuring the smooth conduct of academic evaluations.
• CDPA ensures students adhere to academic guidelines, discipline, and code of conduct as prescribed by the university.
• The department is authorized to levy additional fees or charges necessary for the department’s functioning, aside from the fees set by the university.
• In consultation with the relevant research committee, CDPA conducts research projects and provides consulting services in related academic fields.
• The department organizes workshops, training sessions, and conferences on teaching methods and research in relevant subject areas.
• The CDPA takes necessary steps to provide professional development opportunities for its faculty, ensuring continuous growth in teaching and research skills.
• The department facilitates research work by registering students conducting research for university degrees, appointing supervisors and experts, and evaluating research work.
• The CDPA oversees the proper management of the department's day-to-day operations, ensuring a smooth and orderly functioning of the central department.
• The CDPA is also tasked with any other duties assigned by the university or relevant authorities to contribute to the advancement of public administration education.