Devdaha, Rupandehi | July 25, 2025
Lumbini Buddhist University (LBU) has officially unveiled a comprehensive master plan worth nearly NPR 80 billion for the development of its academic and physical infrastructure in Devdaha, Rupandehi. The master plan was inaugurated during a special ceremony by the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Hon. Bishnu Prasad Paudel, who also laid the foundation stone for the university’s upcoming International Hostel building.
The Government of Nepal had granted LBU ownership of approximately 92 bighas of land in Devdaha in 2020 (2077 BS). The master plan, which envisions transforming the area into a world-class academic hub, was approved by the Eighth Senate Meeting of the University chaired by Prime Minister and University Chancellor Rt. Hon. K.P. Sharma Oli on July 16, 2025 (32 Asar 2081 BS).
While addressing the event, Finance Minister Paudel emphasized the need for proactive implementation of the master plan and assured the university of continued government support. “Planning alone is not enough. The university must show steadfast commitment to execution,” he remarked. Recalling the early days of advocacy for the university’s establishment back in 1994 (2051 BS), he expressed pride in its evolution and encouraged the university to pursue academic excellence and become Nepal’s leading and globally recognized educational destination.
Hon. Paudel also underlined the importance of maintaining high academic standards, promoting interdisciplinary teaching including Buddhist philosophy, and leveraging LBU’s unique identity linked to Lumbini and Gautam Buddha for international branding.
The Vice-Chancellor of LBU, Prof. Dr. Subarna Lal Bajracharya, highlighted the university’s efforts to promote academic tourism and support national development through projects like the Tripitaka Park and the Devdaha Education Development Project, which aim to contribute to both scholarly advancement and local tourism.
Registrar Dr. Tilak Ram Acharya acknowledged Finance Minister Paudel’s consistent support for the university, from its inception to its current stage of growth. He expressed strong confidence that the master plan’s implementation would benefit from the same level of collaboration and help establish LBU as a model university in the nation. He also noted that alongside infrastructure development, the university is conducting research aligned with national policies and priorities.
Reflecting on the challenges faced in securing the land in Devdaha, Dr. Acharya reiterated that the realization of the master plan will firmly position LBU as a premier academic institution in Nepal. He also shared the university’s vision to develop Lumbini, Devdaha, and Butwal as regional centers of education through strategic infrastructure initiatives.
Lumbini Cultural Municipality Deputy Mayor Kalpana Harijan, speaking at the event, emphasized that Lumbini Buddhist University is a nationally prestigious institution and called for strong federal commitment to support the overall development of the Lumbini region.
As part of the initial phase of development, LBU is constructing an International Hostel in Khadahiya, Rupandehi, at an estimated cost of NPR 128.3 million. The facility will accommodate 100 students and is expected to be completed within 20 months. Currently, LBU has approximately 3,000 students enrolled, including around 200 international students, according to Assistant Director Mr. Churamani Pokharel.
Lumbini Buddhist University remains committed to realizing this ambitious vision and becoming a global center for academic excellence rooted in the values of peace, knowledge, and heritage inspired by the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.