KATHMANDU: The Nepal Mountaineering Association has proposed setting up a dedicated Mountain Adventure University to train mountaineers, guides, rescue specialists and tourism professionals under one umbrella.

NMA President Phur Gelje Sherpa, who is personally leading the initiative, said the proposed university was his top priority since taking office. "Nepal is globally recognised for its mountains and adventure tourism, yet we lack a dedicated academic institution to produce internationally competent professionals for this sector. This university will help professionalise the industry and create high-value employment for Nepali youth within the country," he said.

The concept, still in its preliminary stage, envisions five schools covering mountaineering and alpine studies, mountain tourism and adventure management, environmental and climate sciences, safety and disaster risk management, and mountain culture and heritage. Programmes would range from vocational certifications to postgraduate degrees, combining classroom instruction with field-based training.

Nepal, home to Everest and 14 of the world's 20 peaks above 8,000 metres, attracts hundreds of thousands of adventure tourists each year. Yet the sector remains heavily dependent on informal, experience-based skills. Mountain regions contribute less than 6.6 per cent to national GDP despite their global standing, according to the NMA concept paper.

The proposal also seeks to address youth migration by building career pathways that keep skilled young Nepalis employed at home.

Senior officials have welcomed the idea. Indu Ghimire, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, called the concept timely and urged all stakeholders to collaborate. She also suggested the NMA should evolve beyond its current NGO structure into a broader inter-governmental body on the lines of ICIMOD.

Ram Krishna Lamichhane, Director General at the Department of Tourism, said Nepal's mountain resources provided a strong foundation for a world-class adventure university and encouraged the NMA to advance the plan through proper legal and academic channels. Nepal Tourism Board CEO Deepak Raj Joshi said the NTB was ready to partner with the NMA to help bring the project to life.

The university is proposed for Koshi, Bagmati or Gandaki Province, each offering proximity to key mountain areas, tourism infrastructure and research opportunities. Governance would fall under a Board of Trustees chaired by the NMA, with representation from the central government, provincial authorities, industry leaders and international academic experts.

The NMA has formed a preliminary steering committee and plans to initiate feasibility studies, legal groundwork and stakeholder consultations in the coming months.