The Institute of Forestry, Hetauda Campus (IOF-HC) is the first and only institute in Nepal to commit itself to education and training in Forestry and Natural Resource Management. Coming into existence as Nepal Forestry Institute at Singh Durbar, Kathmandu in 1947 under the department of Forest.
It moved to Supping (Bhim Phedi) in 1957 and again to Hetauda in 1965 for better physical facilities established by the Indian Co-operation Mission (ICM). The institute merged into the Tribhuvan University in July 1972 and got a new name “Institute of Forestry”. It offered a two –year certificate level courses in Forestry only in Hetauda since 1981. The campus was developed with technical and financial assistance from the World Bank, International Development Agency (ICA), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In order to meet the growing demands of trained natural resource managers in the country. Institute of Forestry (IOF)/Hetauda Campus has systematically managed its Bachelor and Master Degree in Forestry for quality in the academic sector.
In 2004, it evolved into a fully-fledged institute after launching the Master of Science (MSc) and Ph.D. programs in forestry. The Doctoral program of the IOF is opened for all those interested in any field related to forestry. It is a research-based degree program. The IOF has been offering courses pertinent to various disciplines of NRM and has been modifying its curriculum as time necessitates. The current curricula comprise the basic science and forestry courses with a due emphasis on forest management, community forestry, Agro-forestry, Eco-tourism, park and recreation management, Environmental science, wildlife, Protected Area Management, and Soil Conservation and Watershed Management. The distinguished history of access and quality of the IOF continues today, providing graduate and undergraduate students with unique opportunities to make a difference through technically sound and competent, and socially amicable, and yielding services to the nation in Forestry and Natural resource Management. Teaching and research at IOF preserve and enrich creative traditions through well-designed educational programs that address the current needs and interests of civil society in the country in the area of forestry and allied fields.
Conducting the academic research with proper utilization of our student’s resources is the main thrust of the institute. Productions of the Institute of Forestry (IOF) have been used around the world for research, extension, and development. Therefore, it generates quality manpower for the national and international demands.
