Miscellaneous
KU urges MoE to pick acting VC for smooth operations
The Kathmandu University (KU) has urged the Ministry of Education (MoE) to appoint an acting vice chancellor for the smooth functioning of its day-to-day activities.The Kathmandu University (KU) has urged the Ministry of Education (MoE) to appoint an acting vice chancellor for the smooth functioning of its day-to-day activities.
In a letter dispatched to the MoE on Wednesday, the KU has requested the ministry to give the university registrar the post of acting VC saying that the search committee failed to recommend the name of a new VC. This is the first time the KU is functioning without a VC since its establishment 25 years ago.
Dr Bhola Thapa, Registrar of KU, said many financial and academic decisions had been affected in the absence of VC. Dr Ram Kantha Makaju completed his four-year term as the VC on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the committee formed under Education Minister Dhani Ram Poudel to find a new VC has been unable to reach a unanimous decision, as the committee’s meeting ending inconclusively on Wednesday. The search committee includes Suresh Raj Sharma, former VC of the varsity and Daman Nath Dhungana, chairperson of the KU Board of Trustees, as members. PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal, in the capacity of KU chancellor, will appoint the new VC on the recommendation of the Poudel-led committee. The search committee is understood to have shortlisted three names—Janardan Lamichhane, head of Department of Biotechnology; Bhola Thapa, registrar of KU and Dr Makaju.
“We are still discussing on the names,” said Minister Poudel.
While the two members are said to have been in favour of extending the term of Dr Makaju, Minister Poudel is throwing his weight behind Lamichhane, who is close to leaders of CPN (Maoist Centre).
During recent meetings, committee member Dhungana has expressed fear that picking Lamichhane would institutionalise political appointment at the KU, leading to resignations of senior professors from their positions.
The team has not been able to meet the PM is currently outside Kathmandu.