The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), a non-governmental, non-profit, and non-political organisation established on November 1, 1973, to promote mountain tourism and climbing sports, is advancing plans to establish a Mountain Adventure University in Kakani, Nuwakot. Fur Gelje Sherpa, the NMA President, stated today, October 4, 2026, that such a university is essential for Nepal, given its vast Himalayan range, especially when countries with smaller mountains already offer higher education in mountain adventure tourism.
The proposed university aims to establish an international-standard mountain study centre in a natural environment at an altitude of 3,000 to 3,500 metres. This initiative is expected to attract scholars and researchers from around the world, positioning Nepal as a global hub for mountain tourism education.
In addition to the university project, the NMA has launched a campaign to officially identify, scientifically count, and prepare detailed profiles for over 1,756 or 1,758 unnamed and unclimbed peaks in Nepal.
The establishment of a ‘Mountain Tourism University’ was a key agenda item in Fur Gelje Sherpa’s election manifesto when he was elected NMA President on August 24, 2025 (Bhadra 7, 2082 BS). The NMA has contributed to Nepal’s mountain tourism sector for the past 53 years, conducting various mountaineering training programmes. For the last three years, the association has been running a 1,696-hour course approved by the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT).
Prime Minister Balen Shah’s government has prioritised the creation of new laws related to tourism and mountain institutions, as reported by Muluki Khabar on September 29, 2026. This legislative focus could provide the necessary legal framework for the establishment of the university.
While the NMA is moving forward, specific details regarding the university’s timeline and budget are not yet available. Further information on government approval, land acquisition in Kakani, Nuwakot, and curriculum development beyond the association’s intent remains undisclosed. The sources of funding and potential international collaborations for the university are also unknown. Nepal has experienced land encroachment and disputes concerning university properties in the past, which could pose a potential challenge for this new institution.
