PM Shah Directs VCs to Recover Encroached University Lands, End Campus Politics

Newly appointed vice-chancellors of various universities have pledged to free academic institutions from political influence and promote good governance.

During a meeting with Prime Minister and Chancellor of the universities, Balendra Shah (Balen), at the Prime Minister and Office of the Ministers, the vice-chancellors discussed the current challenges facing Nepal’s higher education sector, possible solutions and the way forward.

The vice-chancellors expressed a common commitment to ending students political and union activities on the university campuses to preserve a conducive academic environment. 

They also committed to keep teachers, employees and students free from politics and focus on constructive, disciplined and academic pursuits.

The meeting also emphasized providing scholarships to 10 percentage of talented and deserving students.

The vice-chancellors further committed to strictly implementing the academic calendar of their respective universities, conducting examinations on schedule and publishing results within the period of one month.

They also informed PM Balen about the key current issues facing by the universities, including shortages of approved vacancy of human resources, land and property, encroachment on universities land and property, the lack of proper management and conservation university,

During the meeting, Prime Minister Shah instructed the vice-chancellors to organize convocation ceremonies on a rotational basis at the provincial level and take concrete measures to enhance the quality of the universities. He also directed them to reclaim encroached university lands and keep campuses from political influence.

Following the PM’s directives, Education Minister Sasmit Pokhrel instructed the VCs to submit a higher education improvement plan within seven days.

The meeting was attended by Tribhuvan University VC Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa, Sudurpashchim University VC Prof. Dr. Kisandatta Bhatta, Purwanchal University VC Pro. Dr. Sujanbabu Marhatta, Pokhara University VC Prof. Dr. Debendra Adhikari, Rajarshi Janak University VC Prof. Dr. Shyamnarayan Labh, Mid-western University VC Prof. Dr. Rajan Suwal and Agriculture and Forestry University VC Prof. Dr. Rishiram Kattel.