Professors, employees and student organizations removed from senate of all 18 universities

Kathmandu: The representation of professors’ associations, employees’ associations, and student organizations has been removed from the University Assembly (Senate), the supreme body of all 18 universities operating across the country.

The ordinance amending some Nepal Acts related to universities brought by the government has made a provision to remove such representations in all universities across the country.

Earlier, there was a provision for representatives of professors’ associations, employees’ associations, and independent students’ unions (SSUs) in most university assemblies. Since the representatives elected by the concerned organizations were ex officio, there was no appointment provision in this system.

According to the new arrangement, instead of representatives from professors’ associations, there will now be representatives selected from among all professors in the assembly. Similarly, instead of employees’ association representatives, members will be selected from among employees. In the case of students, the previous provision of one representative from SSU presidents has been removed, and one representative from among general students has been included. The authority to select such representatives has been given to the Chancellor.

The ordinance has also defined qualifications for the appointment of Vice-Chancellors, Rectors, and Registrars of universities.

To become Vice-Chancellors and Rectors of multidisciplinary universities such as Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu University, Purbanchal University, Pokhara University, Madhya Paschim University, Sudur Paschim University, Nepal Open University, and Rajarshi Janak University, a PhD in any subject along with at least 10 years of experience in teaching or research has been made mandatory. However, even before this, no person with weak qualifications had become Vice-Chancellor.

In addition, specialized universities including Nepal Sanskrit University, Agriculture and Forestry University, Lumbini Buddhist University, Vidushi Yogmaya Himalayan Ayurveda University, and others must now have a PhD in the relevant field.

For example, to become Vice-Chancellor or Rector of Nepal Sanskrit University, a PhD in Sanskrit language or literature is required. Similarly, a PhD in Buddhist philosophy has been made mandatory for the Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Lumbini Buddhist University. For the Vice-Chancellor of the Agriculture and Forestry University, a PhD in Agriculture, Veterinary, or Forestry Sciences is required.

In newly established universities, the qualifications for the Vice-Chancellor have already been determined and have been retained as they are.

Similarly, to become Registrar or General Secretary, a minimum of a master’s degree and at least 10 years of experience in multidisciplinary universities is required.

Before the ordinance, there was a provision for the Prime Minister, who served as Chancellor, to form a three-member committee from among members of the University Council and appoint the Vice-Chancellor recommended by the committee. In this arrangement, there was a possibility for any person to be included in the committee, which meant a less qualified person could be appointed. Now, qualifications for the Vice-Chancellor have been specified. Under the new system, the coordinator of the recommendation committee must be a person qualified to become Vice-Chancellor.

Similarly, other members of the committee must be former Vice-Chancellors, former Deans, and former Registrars, while another member must have 10 years of experience in educational management.

All three organizations have opposed the removal of representation of professors’ associations, teachers’ associations, and student organizations from the University Assembly.