Irregularities Continue at Nepal Sanskrit University
Irregularities at Nepal Sanskrit University have persisted, creating serious obstacles for students. While Shastri-level (Bachelor’s) students have completed their four-year studies and are about to graduate, the university has failed to prepare the Acharya-level (Master’s) curriculum. This negligence has left graduates unable to pursue higher education.
Master’s Curriculum Still Not Prepared
Due to the carelessness of university officials, the Master’s curriculum has not been developed. As a result, Shastri graduates face a complete block in advancing to the next academic level. Professors have publicly issued statements drawing the attention of the leadership to this issue, condemning their irresponsibility.
Research Council Head Without a Doctorate
Concerns have also arisen over the fact that the head of the university’s Research Council — responsible for awarding doctoral degrees — does not hold a doctorate. By statute, the Dean serves as the Research Council’s chairperson, yet current Dean Prof. Bhojaraj Joshi has no Ph.D. Nepal Sanskrit University Teachers’ Association President Prof. Dr. Mukundaprasad Lamichhane expressed that this undermines the council’s credibility.
Professors’ Criticism of Leadership
Prof. Lamichhane stated, “The final-year Shastri exam results have been withheld because the curriculum for the Acharya level has not been prepared. The Vice-Chancellor, Rector, and Registrar, once appointed, have acted as rulers rather than servants of the university, focusing on events and honors abroad instead of students’ futures and academic reforms.”
Weak Academic Leadership and Appointments
Associate Prof. Dr. Prakash Tiwari, Coordinator of the Democratic Professors’ Association at the university, criticized the appointment of a non-doctorate to lead a body that awards doctorates. He also noted dissatisfaction over the nine-member Research Council, where only one member is from Sanskrit studies, with the rest from modern disciplines.
Unresolved Issues and Administrative Failures
The university has failed to promote professors who have completed 20 years of service and has not provided appointments or salaries to teachers running yoga and naturopathy programs for years. Despite the Vice-Chancellor’s appointment over nine months ago, the Academic Council has not been formed, reportedly due to political disagreements. This has stalled the creation of educational policies, regulations, programs, and curricula.
Dr. Tiwari warned that within six months, many professors will retire without promotion, and criticized the withholding of exam results, the unresolved issues of part-time teachers, and the neglect of professors’ and students’ legitimate demands.
Teachers’ Repeated Appeals Ignored
Professors report that repeated efforts to bring these issues to the attention of university leadership have been ignored. They believe the inability to provide academic leadership and maintain organizational balance has caused the university’s academic standards to decline.
Vice-Chancellor’s Response
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Daneshwar Nepal claimed he is working to bring improvements. He admitted that having Sanskrit experts on the Research Council would strengthen the university but said he could not replace the already appointed modern-subject members before their two-year term ends. He acknowledged the delay in preparing the Master’s curriculum and stated that he is preparing to call a subject committee meeting to address it.
According to him, “The irregularities are longstanding, and I will gradually bring reforms.”
