Central Campus of Technology, Dharan

The Central Campus of Technology (CCT Dharan, Sunsari) is an autonomous science and technology campus constituent of Tribhuvan University (TU) in Dharan, Nepal. CCT Dharan offers B.Tech (Food), B.Sc. (Nutrition and Dietetics), BSc Microbiology, MTech Food Technology, BSc Geology, BSc Physics, MSc Microbiology, BIT (Bachelor of Information Technology), and BSc CSIT programs.

Established in 1972 AD, CCT Dharan offers a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs. It is unique in Nepal in offering programs such as B.Tech (Food) and B.Sc. (Nutrition and Dietetics).

VISION

Central Campus of Technology in Dharan, Nepal, is a leading institution for food technology education in the country, producing over 500 highly qualified graduates.

According to various reports, many of these graduates pursue further studies abroad or find employment in different food industries within Nepal and beyond. With Nepal's growing demand for food technology education, the campus aims to expand its scope to become a research station for post-harvest technology in the SAARC Region.

Its new vision is to become a Deemed University of Food Science and Technology, known for its excellence in research.

• Central Campus of Technology is a renowned institution for food technology education in Nepal.
• It has produced over 500 highly qualified graduates, with 25% pursuing further studies abroad.
• The campus aims to become a research station for post-harvest technology in the SAARC Region.
• Its new vision statement is to become a Deemed University of Food Science and Technology.

MISSION

Food is a crucial aspect of life, and the rising food crisis has become an emergency in many developing countries, including Nepal.

Food insecurity is pervasive throughout much of the country, and in times of crisis, Nepal has to depend on donors for food supply, which is a temporary solution.

Controlling post-harvest loss, which accounts for a significant percentage of wasted crops in the country, is essential to combat food insecurity.

National planners are focused on increasing productivity, but food technology can combat food insecurity by reducing post-harvest loss.

The mission of Central Campus of Technology is to develop post-harvest technology and allied programs to the point where it can be deemed a university in its right, known for its research facilities and excellence in the field.

• The food crisis is a severe issue in Nepal, with food insecurity prevalent nationwide.
• The country has to depend on donors for food supply during times of crisis.
• Controlling post-harvest losses is essential to addressing food insecurity, and advancements in food technology can accomplish this.
• The CCT aims to develop post-harvest technology and allied programs to become a university in its own right.

Campus History:

CCT Dharan was established in 1972 AD as a constituent campus of Tribhuvan University. It obtained the status of a decentralized campus in 1998 AD and an autonomous campus in 2012 AD. The establishment of CCT Dharan was a milestone in itself, with Dr. Parasar Narayan Suwal appointed as the first dean of the institute and given the responsibility of doing all the necessary work.

Well-wishers and education activists from Biratnagar offered to help establish the institute, but Dr. Suwal preferred Dharan because of its salubrious climate and vantage points.

With special initiatives from the then Minister of Education, Late Hiralal Vishwakarma, certificate-level courses in Food Technology and Laboratory Technology were started in 1973 (Shrawan 1, 2030 B.S.).

However, since the institute did not have its building at the time, Mr. Yagya Prasad's house (at Dharan-16, which had been turned into a privately run high school) was rented, effective July 1, 1973.

Campus Infrastructure:

In 1975, CCT Dharan acquired about 9.2 ha (19 bighas, ten kata) of land at Hattisar, and Tribhuvan University spent 3.6 million on its resources to build one laboratory building, one guest house, six B-type quarters, and twelve C-type quarters.

These buildings were built by Araniko Construction Company, Kathmandu, as part of the United Designers Consultancy's building construction project. The campus construction was completed in 1977.

Unique Features:

CCT Dharan is unique in Nepal as it is the only TU constituent campus running B.Tech. (Food) and the only campus offering B.Sc. (Nutrition and Dietetics) programs. This makes it a pioneering institution in the field of food technology education in Nepal.

PEDAGOGY

Pedagogy, the art and science of teaching, is a crucial component of higher education and often distinguishes excellent institutions from outstanding ones.

While disciplinary competency is a prerequisite for educators in university education, higher education institutions like the College of Applied Food and Dairy Technology (CCT) strongly emphasize pedagogical competencies to ensure that students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for the demands of the professional world.

CCT is a popular choice for students studying food technology in Nepal. It is the only institution in the country that offers a B.Sc. in Nutrition and Dietetics. Additionally, it is one of Nepal's few campuses offering a B.Sc. in Geology.

One reason for CCT's popularity is its reputation for excellent pedagogy and its robust Education Management Information System (EMIS), which it has strived to maintain over the years.

In recent years, CCT has made significant progress in adapting its resources and pedagogical approaches to meet the needs of students in a rapidly evolving world.

The college has emphasized ICT-based education, and to this end, every classroom is equipped with projectors and CCTVs. The college has also developed a user-friendly customized app called "CCT Teacher" to help faculty maintain student attendance and class log records.

CCT's approach to pedagogy is centered on the student, and the college prioritizes research-oriented teaching to foster a lifelong learning culture among its students.

Additionally, CCT recognizes that faculty development is essential to ensuring educators are well-equipped to deliver the best possible education to students.

To this end, the college regularly facilitates faculty participation in training programs, provides in-house research grants, and encourages advanced studies, such as Ph.D. programs.

While the primary basis of teaching at CCT is the conventional lecture method, the faculty is encouraged to use innovative and ingenious techniques to make the learning process more effective and engrossing.

The college is also considering soon adopting Moodle (a modular object-oriented dynamic learning environment) to enhance its pedagogical approach.

CCT employs several tools and techniques to ensure effective pedagogy, including ICT-based learning, an internal academic audit system, faculty development programs, faculty appraisal systems, an online class log record and attendance system, and a Students Quality Circle (SQC).

These tools and techniques have helped the college maintain its reputation for good teaching and ensure that its students receive a world-class education that prepares them for the demands of the professional world.

FACILITIES

CCT (College of Applied Food and Dairy Technology) has always been committed to providing quality education to its students, but it also understands the importance of giving an overall educational experience.

Therefore, it has invested in several facilities to improve learning and student and staff well-being. Here are some of the facilities that CCT offers:

• CCT has a well-equipped library with an extensive collection of books, journals, and magazines related to food technology, nutrition, and other fields. The library is constantly updated with the latest publications and resources.
• The campus encourages students to participate in various extracurricular activities, such as sports, music, and cultural events. These activities are organized regularly to promote a well-rounded education.
• The CCT provides a hostel facility for students outside the Kathmandu Valley. The hostel has all basic amenities, such as comfortable beds, study tables, and internet connectivity.
• The CCT provides transportation facilities for students and staff to commute to and from the campus.
• The campus has a separate quarter for faculty members who require accommodation. The quarters are equipped with all basic amenities.
• Computers/Internet/Multimedia has been a well-equipped computer lab with the latest hardware and software. The lab is connected to high-speed internet, and multimedia facilities are available.
• The campus has a museum that displays various food processing technologies and equipment.
• CCT has several well-equipped laboratories for food technology, microbiology, chemistry, and other fields.
• The campus has a spacious seminar hall that can accommodate many people and has the latest audiovisual facilities.
• The campus has a cafeteria that serves healthy and hygienic food to students and staff at an affordable price.
• The campus has a temple dedicated to the goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, and art.
• The campus is constructing a botanical garden with various plants and trees.
• The campus has installed a water fountain, which adds to its beauty.
• The campus also has a bike parking shed, a first aid room, and a sanitary pad vending machine.

Programs Offered:

CCT offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields of science and technology. Here's a brief overview of each program:

• The BSc Microbiology program focuses on studying microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, and their role in human health, disease, and the environment.
• The BSc Nutrition and Dietetics program deals with the science of food and nutrition and their effects on human health. Students learn about the principles of healthy eating and the role of nutrition in preventing and treating diseases.
• MTech Food Technology is a specialized program that focuses on the processing, preserving, and packaging of food products. Students learn about food chemistry, microbiology, engineering, safety, and quality management.
• The BSc Geology program focuses on studying the Earth, its composition and structure, and exploring its natural resources. Students learn about the formation and evolution of the Earth, geological processes, and the identification and exploitation of mineral resources.
• The BSc Physics program studies the fundamental principles of matter and energy and their interactions. Students learn about the laws of physics that govern the universe's behavior and how these laws can be applied to solve real-world problems.
• The MSc Microbiology program is an advanced program focusing on studying microorganisms in greater depth. Students learn about microbial genetics, microbial physiology, and the molecular basis of microbial pathogenesis.
• The Bachelor of Food Technology (BTech Food) is a specialized program focusing on food processing, preservation, and packaging science and technology. Students learn about food chemistry, microbiology, engineering, food safety, and quality management.
• The Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) program studies computer-based information systems and their applications in various fields. Students learn about programming languages, database management, network administration, and software engineering.
• The BSc Computer Science and Information Technology (BSc CSIT) program combines the study of computer science and information technology. Students learn about algorithms, data structures, computer networks, software engineering, and database systems.

SUSTAINABILITY

The National Planning Commission's Tenth Plan emphasized the need for cost recovery in higher education, which led CCT to become an autonomous campus in 2012.

While the principal sources of finance for CCT are the UGC block grant and student fees, the campus also generates income through analytical services and training programs.

In addition to these sources of income, there are several ways CCT works toward sustainability and reducing operational costs. Here are some of the steps taken by the campus:

• Self-Sufficiency in Water and Electricity: The campus has its water source, which means it doesn't have to pay for water supply. It has also installed a 26.5 KVA solar energy system to reduce its electricity bills.
• Pilot Plants for Revenue Generation: CCT is planning to operate its pilot plants on a semi-commercial scale, which will include bottled water, dairy products, bakery products, and traditional foods. This will help the campus generate additional revenue and reduce its dependence on external funding.
• Value-Added Products: CCT Dharan has planted tea, coffee, lemon, orange, and other high-value plants expected to enter the market as value-added or specialty products. It will help the campus generate additional revenue and provide hands-on learning opportunities for the students.
• Cost-Effective Infrastructure Development: When CCT needs to make capital expenditures for infrastructure development or add new academic programs, it requests special budget provisions from the government or donor agencies. This helps the campus keep its operational costs low while achieving its development goals.

Sustainability is an essential component of CCT's operational strategy. The campus continually explores new ways to reduce operational costs, generate revenue, and promote sustainable practices.