Professor and Former Head
(Optimization and Graph Theory)
Central Department of of Mathematics
Institute of Science and Technology
Tribhuvan University
Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal,
Postal Address: P.O.Box. 13143
Phone.: (00977) 9841 152490 (cell)
Email: tanka.nath.dhamala@gmail.com; tanka.dhamala@cdmath.tu.edu.np,
Summary on Responsibilities and Research Activities
Tanka Nath Dhamala received his M.Sc. in Pure Mathematics with the Chancellor’s Gold Medal from Tribhuvan University, Nepal (1989), and an M.Sc. nat. in Industrial Mathematics from the University of Kaiserslautern, Germany (1996). He earned a PhD in Optimization from the University of Magdeburg, Germany under Prof. Heidemarie Braesel (2002), followed by a postdoctoral position in Optimization at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada under Prof. Wieslaw Kubiak (2004–2005).
Dr. Dhamala has conducted research visits at DIMACS and RUTCOR, USA (Prof. Fred S. Roberts, 2003), and the MDMC Lab, Chonbuk National University, South Korea (Prof. Moon Ho Lee). He traveled to Japan for education (1989) and to France, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, China, Luxembourg, Malaysia, and Myanmar for scientific meetings. In Germany, he has extensively collaborated with the University of Magdeburg, University of Kaiserslautern, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. He was awarded the TWAS Award by the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (2003), the NAST NABIL Science and Technology Award (2016), and Mathematical Sciences Award of NilKrishna–Jashoda Sitaula Foundation, Northern California, USA.
Currently, Prof. Dhamala is a full professor at Tribhuvan University, leading research in Optimization, Operations Research, Graph Theory, Scheduling Theory, and Algorithms. He served as Head of the Central Department of Mathematics (2020–2024), Head of the Central Department of Computer Science and IT (2007–2013), and coordinated the MPhil Program in Mathematics (2016–2019). He has supervised numerous PhD, MPhil, and Master’s students.
He is a Georg Forster Research Fellow for Experienced Researchers under the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation with Prof. Horst W. Hamacher at the University of Kaiserslautern (2012–2014). He is a former DAAD (Germany) and NSERC (Canada) research fellow and served as DAAD Research Ambassador (2015–2021). He coordinated the DAAD Partnership Program - Graph Theory and Optimization for the Industry and Society, with Prof. Hamacher (2016–2019) and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Research Group Linkage Programs - Optimization Models and Methods for Sustainable Development, with Prof. Stephan Dempe (TU Bergakademie Freiberg, 2016–2018) and - Optimization Strategies for Congestion Reduction in Emergency Transportation, with Prof. Stefan Nickel (KIT, IOR, 2024–2026) in Optimization and Graph Theory at Tribhuvan University.
Prof. Dhamala has an extensive publication record, has organized national and international conferences and workshops, and served as editor/chief editor of the Int'l Journal of Operations Research, Nepal, Journal of Nepal Mathematical Society, and The Nepali Mathematical Sciences Report. He reviews for AMS Review, zbMATH, Theoretical Computer Science, Journal of Advanced Transportation, Hindawi, ANNOR, Springer Nature, EJOR, and OPSEARCH.
He is affiliated with numerous academic organizations in Nepal and abroad, including AMS, NEGAAS President, 2020–2022), GAAN, ORSN, MCDM, Humboldt Club Nepal, Nepal Mathematical Society President, 2015–2018; Secretary, 2006–2009), and Steering Committee Member of the Silkroad Mathematics Center, Beijing, China. He also serves on research and subject committees in Nepalese universities and has held positions in the Science and Technology Cluster, University Grants Commission, Nepal (Member, 2019–2021); Mathematics Subject Committee, HSEB, Government of Nepal (Chair, 2015–2016); Nepal IT Council (Member, 2011–2013); and Mathematical Sciences Scientific Sub-Committee, NAST (Member, 2006–2009, 2016–2018).
Prof. Dhamala’s research is centered on the development and application of mathematical models for solving complex real-life problems through optimization, simulation, and heuristic techniques. His principal research domains include shop scheduling theory and algorithms, graph algorithms, just-in-time sequencing, vehicle routing problems, network optimization, facility location, and logistics support systems. His current research concentrates on optimization-based emergency evacuation planning, with particular emphasis on auto-based and transit-based evacuation models, including contraflow strategies. While the proposed models are designed for a wide range of disaster scenarios globally, Kathmandu, Nepal, represents a significant and practical implementation context. The models also have direct applications in managing everyday rush-hour traffic. Fostering collaborative and interdisciplinary research is a key element of his long-term research agenda.
For more information, see Prof. Dhamala’s homepage: https://dhamalatn.cdmathtu.edu.np and the following attached CV.
Dr. Dhamala has conducted research visits at DIMACS and RUTCOR, USA (Prof. Fred S. Roberts, 2003), and the MDMC Lab, Chonbuk National University, South Korea (Prof. Moon Ho Lee). He traveled to Japan for education (1989) and to France, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, China, Luxembourg, Malaysia, and Myanmar for scientific meetings. In Germany, he has extensively collaborated with the University of Magdeburg, University of Kaiserslautern, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. He was awarded the TWAS Award by the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (2003), the NAST NABIL Science and Technology Award (2016), and Mathematical Sciences Award of NilKrishna–Jashoda Sitaula Foundation, Northern California, USA.
Currently, Prof. Dhamala is a full professor at Tribhuvan University, leading research in Optimization, Operations Research, Graph Theory, Scheduling Theory, and Algorithms. He served as Head of the Central Department of Mathematics (2020–2024), Head of the Central Department of Computer Science and IT (2007–2013), and coordinated the MPhil Program in Mathematics (2016–2019). He has supervised numerous PhD, MPhil, and Master’s students.
He is a Georg Forster Research Fellow for Experienced Researchers under the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation with Prof. Horst W. Hamacher at the University of Kaiserslautern (2012–2014). He is a former DAAD (Germany) and NSERC (Canada) research fellow and served as DAAD Research Ambassador (2015–2021). He coordinated the DAAD Partnership Program - Graph Theory and Optimization for the Industry and Society, with Prof. Hamacher (2016–2019) and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Research Group Linkage Programs - Optimization Models and Methods for Sustainable Development, with Prof. Stephan Dempe (TU Bergakademie Freiberg, 2016–2018) and - Optimization Strategies for Congestion Reduction in Emergency Transportation, with Prof. Stefan Nickel (KIT, IOR, 2024–2026) in Optimization and Graph Theory at Tribhuvan University.
Prof. Dhamala has an extensive publication record, has organized national and international conferences and workshops, and served as editor/chief editor of the Int'l Journal of Operations Research, Nepal, Journal of Nepal Mathematical Society, and The Nepali Mathematical Sciences Report. He reviews for AMS Review, zbMATH, Theoretical Computer Science, Journal of Advanced Transportation, Hindawi, ANNOR, Springer Nature, EJOR, and OPSEARCH.
He is affiliated with numerous academic organizations in Nepal and abroad, including AMS, NEGAAS President, 2020–2022), GAAN, ORSN, MCDM, Humboldt Club Nepal, Nepal Mathematical Society President, 2015–2018; Secretary, 2006–2009), and Steering Committee Member of the Silkroad Mathematics Center, Beijing, China. He also serves on research and subject committees in Nepalese universities and has held positions in the Science and Technology Cluster, University Grants Commission, Nepal (Member, 2019–2021); Mathematics Subject Committee, HSEB, Government of Nepal (Chair, 2015–2016); Nepal IT Council (Member, 2011–2013); and Mathematical Sciences Scientific Sub-Committee, NAST (Member, 2006–2009, 2016–2018).
Prof. Dhamala’s research is centered on the development and application of mathematical models for solving complex real-life problems through optimization, simulation, and heuristic techniques. His principal research domains include shop scheduling theory and algorithms, graph algorithms, just-in-time sequencing, vehicle routing problems, network optimization, facility location, and logistics support systems. His current research concentrates on optimization-based emergency evacuation planning, with particular emphasis on auto-based and transit-based evacuation models, including contraflow strategies. While the proposed models are designed for a wide range of disaster scenarios globally, Kathmandu, Nepal, represents a significant and practical implementation context. The models also have direct applications in managing everyday rush-hour traffic. Fostering collaborative and interdisciplinary research is a key element of his long-term research agenda.
For more information, see Prof. Dhamala’s homepage: https://dhamalatn.cdmathtu.edu.np and the following attached CV.