Pokhara University (PU or PoU Nepali: पोखरा विश्वविद्यालय) was established in 1997 as Nepal's fifth university. Its central office is in Pokhara Lekhnath municipality, Kaski district, Western Development Region. Along with Purbanchal University, PU was formed as part of the government's policy for improved access to higher education. The prime minister is the university chancellor and the minister for education is the pro-chancellor. The vice chancellor is the principal administrator of the university.