Siddhartha Vanasthali Institute (SVI) is a higher education institution located in Ghokechaur Marg, Banepa, Nepal. Established in 1996, SVI has been developing industry-ready graduates for Nepal's aviation sector for nearly three decades. It is affiliated with Kathmandu University and is best known for offering Nepal's first and only Bachelor of Aviation Management (BAM) — a four-year undergraduate program built to fill a genuine and growing gap in the country's aviation workforce.

SVI was created around a straightforward but important observation: Nepal's aviation industry was expanding rapidly, yet the country had no dedicated management degree to train the professionals that expansion needed. Rather than waiting for someone else to build it, SVI built it — and today, students who want a globally relevant aviation management education no longer have to leave Nepal to get one.

The institute is guided by a clear commitment to practical, industry-aligned education. Its curriculum follows ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) international standards, and the program is designed not just to teach aviation theory but to develop professionals who can walk into an airport, airline, or aviation organization and make an immediate contribution.

Vision

To develop internationally competitive aviation management professionals who contribute meaningfully to Nepal's growing aviation sector and the global aviation industry.

Mission

Deliver quality aviation management education aligned with international ICAO standards
Build both theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical skills through real industry exposure
Mentor students closely throughout their academic and professional journey
Produce ethically responsible, socially aware graduates ready to lead Nepal's aviation future

Core Values

Industry readiness, academic excellence, ethical responsibility, innovation, practical learning, and global awareness.

Academic Program

Bachelor of Aviation Management (BAM) — Kathmandu University

Duration: 4 Years | Semesters: 8 | Credit Hours: 120 | Total Seats: 40

The Bachelor of Aviation Management is Nepal's first comprehensive undergraduate degree dedicated entirely to aviation management. Affiliated with Kathmandu University — one of Nepal's most respected academic institutions — the BAM program covers everything from airport operations and airline management to aviation law, safety, finance, and marketing.

This is not a pilot training program. It is a management degree specifically designed for students who want to manage, operate, grow, and lead aviation organizations — the kind of professionals every airport, airline, and aviation regulator needs but currently finds in short supply in Nepal.

The program runs across eight semesters, with the first four building a strong foundation in business, economics, management, and aviation fundamentals. The final four semesters go deeper into specialization, research, and real-world application.

Semester-wise Curriculum Highlights

Semester I — Advanced English, Mathematics, Microeconomics, Introduction to Psychology, Society and Culture, Financial Accounting

Semester II — Macroeconomics, Business Management, Corporate Communication, Business Statistics, Introduction to Aviation Industry, Airport Equipment and Facilities

Semester III — Principles of Marketing, Ethics and Social Responsibility, Financial Management, Air Traffic Management, HRM and Human Factor in Aviation, Aircraft Maintenance Management

Semester IV — Database Management, Research Methodology, Business Strategy, Aviation Safety and Security, Operational Research Applied to Air Transportation, Meteorology Services for Aviation

Semester V & VI — Core subjects including Aircraft Certification and Airworthiness, Aviation Law and Regulation, Project Management, Disaster Management in Aviation, Avionics Systems — combined with chosen specialization track subjects

Semester VII — Capstone Project (6 Credit Hours): Real-world aviation industry project under industry supervision

Semester VIII — Internship (6 Credit Hours): Full professional internship with airlines, airports, aviation companies, or regulatory bodies

Specialization Tracks

From Semester V onwards, students choose one of three focused specialization tracks based on their career interests:

Aviation Financial Management
Covers Financial Management and Insurance in Aviation, Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management, Taxation and Auditing, Air Transport Economics, Accounting for Managers, and Aircraft Leasing and Financing. Ideal for students who want to work in the financial operations side of airlines and aviation companies.

Aviation Operations Management
Covers Cargo and Supply Chain Management for Aviation, Airport Operation Planning and Design, Ground Handling and Ramp Management, Flight Mechanics, Airline Scheduling and Onboard Crew Management, and Flight Operations. Built for students who want to be at the operational heart of airports and airlines.

Aviation Sales and Marketing
Covers Airline Customer Service, Sales Management, Service Marketing, Air Ticketing and Fare Construction, Branding and Advertising, and Digital Marketing. The right path for students interested in the commercial growth and customer-facing side of aviation.

Elective Options (Semester V): Students also choose from Helicopter Operations, Drone Regulations and Operations, or Sustainable Aviation — three increasingly relevant areas that reflect where the global aviation industry is heading.

Admission Process

Admissions to the BAM program are competitive and structured around three key factors: academic background, entrance examination performance, and personal interview. The process is designed to identify students who are genuinely motivated to build a career in aviation management.

Eligibility Requirements:
Students must meet one of the following academic qualifications:

+2 or equivalent with at least 40% aggregate (CGPA 1.6/4.0) and minimum D+ grade in each subject
GCE A Level: Pass minimum 3 subjects plus 1 AS Level general paper
International Baccalaureate (IB): Pass minimum 6 courses (3 at Higher Level) with 24 points aggregate
CTEVT Diploma: Three-year diploma with minimum 40% aggregate
CBSE Board: Minimum 40% aggregate marks

A strong foundation in English, Mathematics, and General Knowledge is expected. Students from commerce or management backgrounds are preferred, though applicants from other streams are welcome. 10% of seats are reserved for international students.

Required Documents:

Official transcripts from +2 or equivalent examination
Character certificate from previous institution
Citizenship certificate or passport copy
Recent passport-size photographs
Medical certificate (if required)

Entrance Examination:
All applicants must sit the Kathmandu University Management Admission Test (KUMAT). No applicant is exempt.

Selection Criteria:

Component	Weightage
Academic Performance	40%
KUMAT Entrance Exam	35%
Personal Interview	25%

Additional consideration is given to candidates with aviation experience, demonstrated leadership potential, and those from underrepresented regions of Nepal

Practical Training and Industry Exposure

One of the defining strengths of the BAM program is how seriously it treats real-world preparation. Academic knowledge matters, but aviation is a field where practical confidence is just as important as what you know in theory.

Industrial Experience Project (Semester VII — 6 Credit Hours): Students take on real aviation industry projects under professional supervision, applying everything they have learned across the first six semesters to genuine industry challenges.

Internship (Semester VIII — 6 Credit Hours): The final semester is dedicated to a full professional internship with aviation companies, airports, airlines, or regulatory bodies. This gives students hands-on professional experience and the industry network connections that matter when they graduate.

Beyond these structured components, students throughout the program benefit from airline visits, aviation industry simulations, and opportunities for global exposure that keep them connected to what is actually happening in the aviation world beyond the classroom.

Career Opportunities

A Bachelor of Aviation Management from SVI opens genuine, high-demand career paths across Nepal's rapidly growing aviation ecosystem. Graduates go on to work as:

Airport Manager
Airline Operations Manager
Air Traffic Management Professional
Aviation Safety Inspector
Aviation Consultant
Aviation Financial Analyst
Airline Sales and Marketing Manager
Ground Handling and Ramp Manager
Aviation Law and Regulatory Compliance Officer
Cargo and Supply Chain Manager (Aviation)

Opportunities exist across Nepal's expanding network of airports, domestic and international airlines, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), tourism organizations, and multinational aviation companies operating in the region. With Nepal's aviation sector having grown roughly 300% in recent years and an estimated 85% skills gap in aviation management professionals, graduates are entering a field where qualified people are genuinely needed.

Why Choose Siddhartha Vanasthali Institute (SVI)?

Nepal's first and only Bachelor of Aviation Management — no other institution in Nepal offers this degree
Affiliated with Kathmandu University — one of Nepal's most academically respected universities, recognized nationally and internationally
ICAO-aligned curriculum — internationally benchmarked, not just locally relevant
Three focused specialization tracks — Aviation Financial Management, Operations Management, and Sales and Marketing
Built-in internship and capstone project — real-world experience is part of the degree structure, not an optional extra
Only 40 seats — a small, focused cohort means individual attention, stronger peer relationships, and a more personal learning environment
Experienced, industry-connected faculty — people who understand Nepal's aviation sector from the inside
No need to go abroad — internationally aligned education, in Nepal, at Nepali costs
Growing industry, real demand — graduates enter a sector that actively needs qualified professionals
Established since 1996 — nearly three decades of developing aviation-sector graduates in Nepal