Chemical Engineering In Nepal : Opportunities and Challenges

 

Background of Chemical Engineering

 Chemical engineering began in the late 18th century with the rise of "industrial chemistry" during the Industrial Revolution. Before this, products like soap and consumer goods were made using batch processing, where materials were mixed, heated, cooled, or pressurized in small batches. This method was slow and inefficient. After the Industrial Revolution, continuous processing was developed, making it easier to produce chemicals on a large scale.

The Industrial Revolution increased the demand for chemicals like soda ash, leading to new production methods and the growth of chemical plants. In 1887, George E. Davis, a British university lecturer, first defined chemical engineering as a distinct field of study and profession. Today, chemical engineering is a respected profession that contributes significantly to energy production, industrial growth, medicine manufacturing, food processing, and various other fields.

History of Chemical Engineering In Nepal

The history of chemical engineering in Nepal is relatively recent but has been progressing steadily. Initially, Nepal had limited chemical industries, which restricted opportunities for chemical engineering studies. However, as the demand for chemical engineers grew in fields like cement, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and environmental management, the study of chemical engineering was introduced in Nepal.

Kathmandu University was the first to offer a chemical engineering program in 2016. Later, Tribhuvan University’s Institute of Engineering at Pulchowk Campus started offering a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering in 2019 (2076 B.S.) under the Department of Applied Sciences and Chemical Engineering. This program admits 48 students annually and includes theoretical studies, practical training, and a three-month internship for industry exposure.

The department has a collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, India. Faculty from IIT Roorkee’s Chemical Engineering Department actively participate in teaching at Pulchowk Campus, and there is a regular exchange of professors, fostering knowledge-sharing and research collaboration. Additionally, chemical engineering students from Pulchowk Campus have opportunities to pursue higher education at IIT Roorkee.

Currently, over 250 chemical engineering graduates are registered in Nepal, contributing to various industries and research fields

Future Scope of Chemical Engineering in Nepal

Chemical engineering is an exciting, dynamic field with so much potential to transform Nepal’s future! As our country pushes for sustainable growth and a stronger economy, chemical engineers are stepping up to make a real difference. Here’s a heartfelt look at the incredible opportunities waiting for us:

1. Powering Nepal with Renewable Energy
   Nepal is blessed with sunshine, rivers and organic waste—perfect for clean energy! Chemical engineers can lead the charge by designing smart systems for solar power, biogas from agricultural waste or even hydrogen fuel. Imagine affordable solar panels lighting up rural homes or biogas stoves in remote villages, cutting our reliance on fossil fuels and bringing hope to every corner of Nepal.

2. Boosting Local Industries
   We spend so much importing medicines, processed foods and construction materials. Chemical engineers can change that! By building local industries, they can create affordable, high-quality medicines and medical supplies right here. Picture Nepali-made bandages, syringes or life-saving drugs—reducing costs, saving lives and creating jobs for our people!

3. Protecting Nepal’s Environment
   Our rivers, air, and forests are our treasures, but pollution threatens them. Chemical engineers can be our heroes, developing safe explosives or propellants for controlled construction, mining, or defense needs—think road-building in tough terrains or supporting national security—while ensuring minimal harm to nature. They can also clean rivers with advanced wastewater systems, keeping Nepal green and beautiful.

4. Strengthening Education and Research
   To build a bright future, our universities need better labs and hands-on training. Partnerships like the one with IIT Roorkee are bringing world-class ideas to Nepal! If we encourage students to solve real problems—like designing eco-friendly materials—we’ll have graduates ready to tackle our challenges and more jobs for young Nepalis.

5. Advancing Healthcare through Biotechnology
   Chemical engineers can team up with biotech to make a difference in healthcare. Think affordable vaccines, simple diagnostic tools, or even herbal medicines made from Nepal’s amazing plants. By refining ways to extract and purify medicinal compounds, they can make healthcare cheaper and closer to home for all of us.

6. Supporting Agriculture and Food Security
   Our farmers work so hard, and chemical engineers can help! They can create low-cost, eco-friendly fertilizers to grow more crops or invent better ways to store fruits and veggies so nothing goes to waste. This means more food on our tables and stronger food security for Nepal’s families.

7. Driving Innovation in Small-Scale Industries
   Nepal’s small businesses—like soap-making, textile dyeing, or candle production—have so much heart. Chemical engineers can help them grow by improving processes, making them efficient and competitive. Imagine high-quality Nepali soaps or textiles in markets worldwide, boosting our economy and pride!

8. Tackling Water Scarcity and Quality
   Water is life, but many in Nepal struggle to find clean, safe drinking water. Chemical engineers can design purification systems—simple and affordable ones—for rural areas or even desalination tech for the future. This would bring clean water to every home, improving health and hope across the nation.

9. Pioneering Sustainable Construction
   As Nepal builds more roads, bridges, and homes, chemical engineers can make it greener. They can develop sustainable materials—like stronger, eco-friendly concrete or insulation from local resources—reducing costs and our environmental footprint. This means sturdy, safe buildings for our growing cities!

10. Enhancing Medical Technology
    Chemical engineers can revolutionize healthcare in Nepal! They could design better drug delivery systems—like slow-release capsules or patches—to treat chronic illnesses, or create low-cost, portable devices for testing blood sugar or infections in rural clinics, bringing quality care to every Nepali.

11. Contributing to National Security
    Chemical engineers can play a vital role in keeping Nepal safe. They could develop safe, controlled materials like propellants or low-impact explosives for defense or infrastructure projects—think clearing landslides or building roads in remote areas. With careful oversight, their skills can support our nation’s security while prioritizing safety and sustainability.

The future of chemical engineering in Nepal is full of promise! With passion and skill, chemical engineers can light up our homes, clean our rivers, heal our people, and build a stronger, prouder Nepal. Let’s dream big and make it happen!

Challenges of Chemical Engineering in Nepal

Chemical engineering holds great promise for Nepal, but it faces several challenges that need to be addressed to unlock its full potential. Here’s a look at the key hurdles:

1. Limited Industrial Infrastructure
   Nepal has few large-scale industries, which limits job opportunities for chemical engineering graduates. Industries like petroleum, polymers, pharmaceuticals, and chemical manufacturing are developing slowly. Without a strong industrial base, engineers struggle to find suitable jobs locally and may look abroad, draining talent from Nepal.

2. Lack of Research and Technological Development
   Nepal has limited resources for research and development (R&D). Modern equipment, advanced labs, and funding for innovation are scarce, making it hard to turn ideas into practical solutions. Without investment in R&D, Nepal misses out on creating technologies to drive progress.

3. Weak Policy and Regulatory Framework
   Policies and regulations for chemical engineering are weak in Nepal. Environmental laws, industrial safety standards, and incentives for R&D need stronger government support. A long-term strategy is essential to encourage investment and ensure sustainable practices.

4. Low Demand in the Public Sector
   Despite over 250 registered chemical engineers, there’s little demand in the public sector. Government bodies like the Public Service Commission rarely advertise jobs for chemical engineers, forcing graduates to seek private-sector roles or opportunities abroad.

5. Misunderstanding Between Chemical Engineering and Chemistry
   Chemical engineering and chemistry are often confused in Nepal, but they’re distinct fields. Chemistry studies substances in labs, while chemical engineering designs industrial processes. This misconception leads to graduates being underutilized in roles like lab work instead of industrial projects.

6. Limited Skilled Faculty and Training Opportunities
   Nepal’s chemical engineering programs lack experienced faculty and modern training facilities. Without hands-on training, students may not be fully prepared for real-world challenges, impacting their confidence and expertise.

7. High Initial Investment for Industries
   Setting up chemical industries, like pharmaceutical plants or waste treatment facilities, requires significant funding, which is challenging in Nepal’s economy. Small industries also struggle to adopt advanced technologies, slowing growth and job creation.

8. Brain Drain and Migration
   Limited opportunities and low pay push many graduates to migrate to countries with stronger industries. This “brain drain” deprives Nepal of talent needed for local innovation and growth.

Conclusion: Chemical Engineering in Nepal

The history of chemical engineering in Nepal may be short, but its development has been promising. Originating after the Industrial Revolution, this field can significantly contribute to Nepal’s pharmaceutical, food processing, cement, environmental protection, and renewable energy sectors.

However, chemical engineering in Nepal faces key challenges, such as the lack of industrial infrastructure, limited public sector opportunities, insufficient investment in research and development, and confusion between chemistry and chemical engineering. These challenges can be addressed by expanding industries, reforming policies, and promoting innovation in education.

The scope for chemical engineering in Nepal is vast, particularly in eco-friendly technologies, renewable energy, and industrial production. If the government, private sector, and educational institutions work together to create opportunities and drive investment, chemical engineers can play a crucial role in advancing Nepal’s sustainable industrial growth.