South Asian Institute of Management (SAIM)

Overview

South Asian Institute of Management (SAIM) — now operating as SAIM College — is an independent, autonomous management institution located at Old Baneshwor Chowk, Kathmandu. Established in 2005 and affiliated with Pokhara University, SAIM was founded with a clear regional purpose: to develop managers, leaders, and entrepreneurs equipped for South Asia's rapidly growing role as a center of global trade, investment, and technology innovation.

SAIM is chaired by Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani — former Minister of Finance and Foreign Affairs of Nepal — and has built a strong track record not just in education but in applied management consulting. The institute has delivered consulting services to the Government of Nepal's Ministry of General Administration, the World Bank-supported Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF), and the IFC's South Asia Enterprise Development Facility (SEDF).

SAIM has been consistently ranked among the top business schools in Kathmandu for management education, and its graduates hold leadership positions across banking, finance, corporate houses, and development organizations in Nepal and internationally.

Programs Offered — Pokhara University

• BBA — Bachelor of Business Administration (96 seats) — NPR 6,00,000
• BCSIT — Bachelor of Computer System and Information Technology — NPR 8,00,000
• MBA (Global Business) — Master of Business Administration (30 seats) — NPR 6,00,000

Admissions

SAIM follows a structured admission process for all programs. Admissions for 2083 B.S. are open until September 16, 2026. Apply at saim.edu.np.

BBA Eligibility

• Completed +2 / Intermediate / PCL or equivalent from a recognized board, any stream
• Minimum second division or equivalent
• Must pass SAIM's College Admission Test (computer-based)

BCSIT Eligibility

• Completed +2 / Intermediate / PCL or equivalent with minimum second division
• Must pass the entrance test conducted by SAIM

MBA (Global Business) Eligibility

• Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university
• Must pass PUMAT (Pokhara University Management Admission Test)
• College may also conduct a personal interview as part of final selection

Required Documents

• Completed application form with 2 passport-size photographs
• Original certificates and transcripts of SEE/SLC and +2 or equivalent
• Migration certificate for +2 or equivalent
• Certificate of Equivalence from CDC if +2 was completed outside NEB Nepal

Enrollment Procedure

1. Admission notice published; collect application form from SAIM on payment of prescribed fee
2. Submit application with required documents
3. Eligible candidates notified for College Admission Test (computer-based)
4. Interview conducted if required
5. Provisional admissions must be confirmed with all documents within one month of classes beginning

Contact: +977-01-4474747 / 01-4484832 | info@saim.edu.np

Campus Life

SAIM's Old Baneshwor campus provides a focused, professionally-oriented learning environment built around research, industry engagement, and student development — with a distinctive emphasis on South Asian business context and real-world consulting exposure.

Research & Consulting Culture

SAIM is one of very few management colleges in Nepal with an active consulting practice at the institutional level. Past engagements include:

• Structural redesign consulting for the Ministry of General Administration, Government of Nepal
• Organizational review for the Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF) — a World Bank-supported autonomous body
• SME assessment for the South Asia Enterprise Development Facility (SEDF) — an IFC-managed, multi-donor regional initiative based in Bangladesh
• Training programs for commercial banks, financial institutions, the Central Bank of Nepal, and manufacturing companies — covering customer service management, securities valuation, mutual fund evaluation, derivatives, and consulting skills

Career Counseling & Placement Cell

SAIM's placement cell mobilizes its corporate and institutional network to connect graduates with employment opportunities. Counselors work individually with students to identify personality fit, career aspirations, and transition paths from education to employment — ensuring graduates enter the market as confident, self-aware professionals.

SAIM Student Society

Founded in 2010, the SAIM Student Society is the governing student body with 18 members (10 elected, 8 class representatives) led by a student President. It drives clubs, sports, cultural events, career activities, and student welfare initiatives.

SAIM Entrepreneurship Club

A student-led initiative promoting entrepreneurial thinking, business competitions, networking, and startup culture as part of the BBA and MBA experience.

SAIM Alumni Association (SAA)

Formally established on June 10, 2023, the SAA connects SAIM graduates across MBA (Global Business), BBA, and earlier MM programs. The association facilitates professional networking, career progression, CSR programs, blood donation drives, and bridges the student-college community gap.

Guest Lectures & Industry Events

SAIM regularly invites senior professionals, economists, bankers, and government officials for guest lectures, management development programs, and seminars — ensuring students engage with current business and policy realities beyond the classroom.

Scholarships

SAIM offers two categories of financial assistance for its programs:

Merit-Based Scholarship (Tuition Waiver)

Awarded to academically outstanding students based on entrance test performance and prior academic record. Students must complete the Research Assistantship Application Form to apply. Merit scholarship amounts are determined by the admissions committee on a case-by-case basis.

Need-Based Scholarship (Tuition Waiver)

Available for students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds who demonstrate genuine need. Supporting financial documents are required. The same Research Assistantship Application Form is used for both merit and need-based scholarship applications.

Both BCSIT and MBA (Global Business) programs have explicit merit-based and need-based discount provisions. BBA has merit-based provisions. For current scholarship availability, criteria, and application forms, contact +977-01-4474747 or email info@saim.edu.np.