Dean's Corner

Biography of Professor Bal Chandra Luitel, PhD (Updated 2025)

Prof. Bal Chandra Luitel, PhD, is an academic currently serving as the Dean of the School of Education at Kathmandu University (KUSOED). In his role, he strives to develop KUSOED into a center of excellence, focusing on research, teaching, service, and community engagement across Nepal. His leadership philosophy, which emphasizes ‘enabling by redesign,’ has played a significant role in the institution's transformation, leading to an increase in student enrollment, faculty recruitment, and graduation rates.

Under the leadership of Prof. Luitel, notable achievements have been realized at KUSOED. His efforts have led to the re-introduction of various programs, including the BTechEd in Information Technology, BA-BEd in English, and BEd in Chinese Major with an English Minor. Additional postgraduate programs have been established across the five departments of the School. His efforts have also extended KUSOED's outreach beyond Kathmandu, with undergraduate programs established in Sindhuli, Biratnagar, and Rupandehi. Prof. Luitel has emphasized the importance of teacher education within the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, advocating for curricula that are context-based and aligned with both local needs and global standards. He has successfully formed research teams and attracted international students.

In addition to his role as Dean, Prof. Luitel is committed to academic leadership and management excellence. He has worked to uphold academic standards and has introduced innovative educational strategies by fostering an academic audit culture within the School of Education. His management philosophy is rooted in principles of social justice, equity, and sustainability, viewing educational institutions as platforms for societal transformation. He emphasizes effective and collaborative planning, encouraging all departments and centers to develop their strategic plans and follow through. He also stands as a mentor to the faculty and academic leaders, inspiring innovative thoughts and actions. His thought leadership at KUSOED has helped it achieve a new height of academic excellence, often illustrated by our partners' and clients' appreciation for KUSOED's better teaching, better research, and better services.

Prof. Luitel’s research concentrates on transformative STEAM education, focusing on context-based practices that nurture critical thinking and creativity. He co-founded the International Transformative Education Research Network (ITERN), engaging over 100 scholars worldwide in collaborative research initiatives. His commitment to resource mobilization has facilitated significant growth and innovation at KUSOED, including the creation of centers that benefit local communities. Through strategic partnerships with national and international organizations, he has contributed to the development of various academic programs and community support initiatives, reinforcing KUSOED's standing as a leading institution in Nepal and beyond.

Prof Luitel has co-authored and co-edited four books (and one is forthcoming) and published over 150 articles in peer-reviewed journals, focusing on participatory action research, STEAM education, and transformative education, among others. In recognition of his contributions, he has received awards, such as Nepal’s Rastriya Shikshya Puraskar (2010), the Young Scientist Award (2012), and the Mathematical Sciences Excellence Award (2019), to name but a few.

Educated in Nepal and Australia and having worked in Nepal, Australia and Portugal, Prof. Luitel is actively engaged in transformative educational research and advises on national curriculum development. He has led over 25 inter/national research projects funded by NORAD, World Bank and other agencies, aimed at enhancing educational landscapes. His global influence is reflected in his keynote addresses, collaborative research projects/publications, and mentorship of over 25 PhD graduates. A lifelong learner, he remains dedicated to research on transformative pedagogy, learners-centric curricula, and philosophizing everyday lifeworld with an emphasis on local, Eastern/Southern (without rejecting Eurocentric/Western/Northern) and indigenous knowledge systems.

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