Hohai University - China
AUTHOR PROFILE
SUMMARY
Manan Sharma is an accomplished civil engineer and infrastructure expert with over a decade of extensive experience in hydropower, sustainable infrastructure, and project finance. He has served in influential positions at organizations like the Nepal Infrastructure Bank and Shanghai Investigation Design & Research Institute, combining technical expertise with strategic leadership. Holding dual master’s degrees in Hydropower Engineering and Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering from top Chinese universities, and currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering, he demonstrates a lifelong commitment to advancing global infrastructure systems through innovation and policy engagement.
EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS
Manan's academic journey began with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Tribhuvan University, Nepal, where he developed a passion for hydraulic systems and infrastructure development. Earning prestigious Chinese Government Scholarships, he completed his first master’s in Hydropower Engineering at Hohai University and later pursued a second professional master's in Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering from Southeast University. His early academic training equipped him with robust multidisciplinary insights, blending civil design, sustainability, and international collaboration, laying the foundation for his impactful career in public and private sector infrastructure projects.
PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS
Throughout his professional career, Manan has taken on diverse engineering, managerial, and advisory roles. As Head of the Infra Excellence Center at Nepal Infrastructure Bank, he led project appraisals, advisory platforms, and consultant engagements across major national infrastructure ventures. At Shanghai Investigation Design & Research Institute, he managed business development and technical coordination for hydropower projects. His work at the Budhi-Gandaki Hydropower Project and Ministry of Local Development involved field execution, feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments, and resettlement planning, reinforcing his reputation as a multidisciplinary leader in infrastructure development.
CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS
Manan Sharma’s contributions span technical design, hydropower systems optimization, sustainable infrastructure policies, and public-private partnerships. His research centers on water conservation, dam hydraulics, and techno-economic viability of infrastructure in South Asia. With solid technical acumen in AutoCAD, ADINA, GIS, and MATLAB, he bridges theory and application. He is also well-versed in penstock and bifurcation design, ensuring efficient hydraulic systems. His ongoing Ph.D. research aims to integrate sustainable development goals (SDGs) with infrastructure frameworks, addressing water-energy resilience in climate-sensitive regions.
ACCOLADES AND RECOGNITION
A recipient of both the Chinese Government Scholarship and the Yes China Scholarship, Manan has earned multiple honors for his academic excellence and professional dedication. Recognized as a certified civil engineer by the Nepal Engineering Council, he also plays a key role in technical training sessions on project finance, PPP models, and risk insurance. His exceptional leadership in managing cross-border infrastructure projects and fostering international partnerships showcases his reputation as a visionary in the civil engineering community.
IMPACT AND INFLUENCE
Manan's work has contributed significantly to Nepal's evolving infrastructure landscape. By steering large-scale hydropower ventures and promoting collaborative consultancy ecosystems through Infra Excellence Centers, he has driven capacity building and innovation in public sector development. His advocacy for inclusive growth, coupled with his efforts in digital platforms for expert engagement, reflects his progressive approach to engineering. Through seminars and global training workshops, he has influenced sustainable development discourse across South Asia and China.
LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS
With a clear vision for infrastructure resilience and technological integration, Manan continues to chart a course toward sustainable development. His future goals include strengthening international infrastructure cooperation and embedding smart systems into hydro-engineering practices. He aims to expand research in renewable water-energy systems and contribute to academic and policy dialogues that shape infrastructure reform. Manan's legacy lies in engineering solutions that harmonize technological excellence with societal and environmental responsibility.
NOTABLE PUBLICATION
Title: Multi-Model Assessment to Analyze Flow Alteration Under the Changing Climate in a Medium-Sized River Basin in Nepal: A Case Study of the Kankai River Basin
Authors: Manan Sharma, Rajendra Prasad Singh, Samjhana Rawat Sharma
Journal: Water, 2025