Invitation of Applications (Final Call) for Admission to Master of Applied Science and PhD Programs in Forest Biomaterials Science and Engineering | Artificial Intelligence | Data Science | Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure

Institute of Applied Sciences Chitlang, Thaha Municipality-9, Bagmati Province Invitation of Applications (Final Call) for Admission to Master of Applied Science and PhD Programs in Forest Biomaterials Science and Engineering | Artificial Intelligence | Data Science | Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure October 9, 2026 ADMISSION OPEN TO ALL NATIONALITIES 1. Introduction Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology (MBUST) was established through the promulgation of the Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology Act, 2079 (2022 AD) on August 3, 2022. The University envisions becoming a world-class university and is committed to building a prosperous and just Nepal through its mission. MBUST aligns teaching and research with real industry problems, helping students develop new technologies and become “job creators,” not “job seekers.” 2. Program Intake and Duration Program Level No. of 100% and Fee Waiver Only Seats scholarship1,2 100% 75% 50% 25% Forest Biomaterials MAS 14 - Up to 2 Up to +2 Up to +2 Up to +8 Science and Engineering Artificial Intelligence PhD 2 Up to 2 - - - - MAS 12 - - Up to +2 Up to +2 Up to +8 Data Science PhD 1 Up to 1 - - - - MAS 10 - - - Up to +2 Up to +8 Sustainable and MAS 13 - Up to 1 Up to +2 Up to +2 Up to +8 Resilient Infrastructure Duration of PhD programs: 3 years; MAS programs: 2 years. 3. Admission Schedule Event Date Application deadline October 28, 2026 Shortlist publication October 30, 2026 Written examinations and interview November 2-4, 2026 Publication of admission list November 6, 2026 Admission deadline November 19, 2026 Orientation, course registration, and start of instruction November 23, 2026 1 Monthly scholarship of Rs. 20, 000 for up to 36 months (for PhD students) and Rs. 12,000 for up to 24 months (for MAS students) may be provided, subject to fund availability and satisfactory academic performance. 2 Scholarship will not be awarded to candidates on a paid leave or supported by any entity towards their living expenditures during the study period. The selected candidates should, at the time of admission, submit an affidavit certifying that they will not be on a paid leave and not receiving support from any entity towards their living expenditures during the study period. 14. Minimum Eligibility3 PhD Program: Master's degree in Engineering/Technology/Science/Architecture or other relevant fields from recognized universities with CGPA of 3.0/4.0 (or international equivalent). MAS Program: Program Minimum Eligibility Forest Biomaterials Four-year Bachelor's degree in Science/ Engineering/ Technology or Science and Engineering other relevant fields from recognized universities with CGPA of 2.75 out of 4.0 (or international equivalent) Artificial Intelligence Four-year Bachelor's degree in Science/ Engineering/ Technology or Data Science other relevant fields from recognized universities with CGPA of 2.75 out of 4.0 (or international equivalent) or 3-year Bachelor's degree in digital technology related field from recognized universities with CGPA of 2.75 out of 4.0 (or international equivalent) provided that the total credit is not less than 120 and the course content meets prerequisites for the applied program Sustainable and Resilient Four-year Bachelor's degree in Engineering/ Technology/ Science/ Infrastructure Architecture from recognized universities with CGPA of 2.75/4.0 (or international equivalent) or Master's degree in Management/ Economics/ Sociology/ Tourism & Hospitality or other relevant fields with CGPA of 2.75/4.0 (or international equivalent) 5. Fee, Financial Support, and Deposit The total tuition fee for MAS and PhD programs is Rs. 300,000 (2 years) and 450,000 (3 years) respectively. Recipients of scholarships or fee waivers must participate in university research and related activities and commit to employment or self-employment in Nepal, or service at MBUST or MBUST-assigned institutions for at least two years (one year for fee-waiver-only students, regardless of waiver amount). If recipients withdraw before completing their studies, they must repay the full scholarship amount received and the total tuition fee for the entire program. Selected applicants must sign a pledge to complete their studies and serve MBUST or an institution assigned by MBUST in lieu of the scholarship or fee waiver provided at admission. To ensure committed enrollment and proper care of the University property, the following non-tuition fees apply: a registration fee of Rs. 25,000; a refundable deposit of Rs. 50,000 (returned upon program completion); and a refundable security deposit of Rs. 25,000 for potential damage due to negligence. Transportation charges apply separately for students using the office shuttle service to and from Chitlang. 6. Application Submission Online application form is available at http://www.mbust.edu.np. Applications must be submitted online. Applications in hard copies or scanned copies shall not be entertained. 3 Applicants who fall short of the CGPA threshold but demonstrate exceptional merit may be shortlisted. Such applicants are welcome to apply, with the understanding that the University may still deem them ineligible. 2Bank details to deposit application fee: Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology A/C No. 33600106701870000049 Nepal Bank Limited Chitlang Branch, Thaha Municipality In case of difficulties in applying online, please contact: Mr. Abhash Jit Maharjan. Email: [email protected]. Contact number: +977 9861392313. 7. Documents to be Submitted Mandatory documents 1) Academic transcripts a. Bachelor's level b. Secondary school transcript (grade 12) c. Secondary Education Examination transcript (grade 10) 2) Research statement (Attachment 2) 3) Personal statement (Attachment 3) 4) Citizenship certificate/Passport 5) CV 6) Bank voucher/evidence of the deposition of application fee of Rs. 500. Optional documents 1) Publication list 2) Experience certificates 3) Additional transcripts 4) Other documents (not more than five). 8. Criteria for Selection The applicants will be selected based on the following set of criteria. Criteria Transcripts Research Personal Special References Essay Interview Total statement statement skills writing Weightage, 20 10 15 10 10 10 25 100 % Applicants are encouraged to submit documents showing special achievements/skills which could enhance the chances of their success in the studies. Applicants should submit the names and contact details of three referees who can provide the firsthand reference on the students. The students should name only those referees who agree to be interviewed by the University. 3Applicants with publication records in peer-reviewed journals and conferences will have an advantage in the selection. Therefore, students are encouraged to provide a list of publications (see Attachment 4). Essay writing and interview will take place at the University premise in Chitlang. Shortlisting. Applicants will be shortlisted based on the cumulative score of the first five criteria. The number of students shortlisted will not exceed the double of the planned intake. Final selection. The final selection for admission will be based on the cumulative score of all criteria. 9. Briefing on the Programs Those interested to know more about the programs are requested to send an email to [email protected] or contact respective Program Coordinators: Program Coordinator Phone Email Forest Biomaterials Dr. Sudip Pandey 9841683077 [email protected] Science and Engineering Digital Technology (AI/ Dr. Ritu Raj Lamsal 9804437197 [email protected] Data Science) Sustainable and Resilient Dr. Kishor Timsina 9849147792 [email protected] Infrastructure Visiting MBUST. Interested applicants are welcome to visit MBUST in Chitlang. They can make their own travel arrangement or request to use the university bus service (Rs. 150 for a one-way trip and Rs. 300 for a round trip) subject to seat availability. The bus departs from Pulchowk at 8:00 AM and travels through Kalanki and Thankot. For seat reservation, please contact: Binod Adhikari (9851119749). Director Institute of Applied Sciences 4