Dasharath Chand Health University Unable to Find Vice-Chancellor
Dasharath Chand University of Health Sciences, which is to be established in Geta, Kailali, has not yet found a suitable candidate for the post of vice-chancellor, even after two separate calls for applications.
Despite two rounds of public notices, no one applied for the position. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has assumed that strict eligibility provisions set by the university act for the vice-chancellor position are the main reason for not finding appropriate candidates.
Two Rounds of Application Without Eligible Candidates
For the appointment of the vice-chancellor, the ministry first called for applications on Kartik 16, with a deadline of 15 days. As no applications were received within that period, a second notice was issued with an additional five-day deadline. The second deadline expired on Mangsir 5 (Friday).
According to the ministry, one person did apply for the vice-chancellor position on Friday. However, the ministry rejected the application, stating that the candidate did not meet the required qualifications. The eligibility criteria for the vice-chancellor are specified in Section 24 of the University Act, 2082.
Strict Eligibility Criteria Under the University Act
Under the act, a candidate for the vice-chancellor must have obtained a PhD, DM, MCh, or an equivalent degree in a discipline related to medical education from a recognised university.
In addition, the candidate must have worked as a professor at any university for at least 10 years, and at the time of appointment must be at least 35 years old and not older than 61. These are the additional criteria set by the act.
Limited Eligible Candidates and Low Interest in the Post
Joint Secretary of the ministry, Shriprasad Bhattarai, stated that no one has come forward for the vice-chancellor position because the act itself has set very strict criteria.
He remarked that there are very few individuals in the market who meet the qualifications prescribed by the act. Among those few, many see better professional prospects in Kathmandu and other major cities and therefore may not be interested in going to Dhangadhi to serve as vice-chancellor.
Bhattarai noted that if the eligibility provisions for the vice-chancellor were a bit more flexible, candidates of an intermediate profile might also have applied.
Interim Plan: Registrar to Also Handle Vice-Chancellor Duties
As no one has applied for the vice-chancellor position, the ministry is preparing to appoint a registrar for the university and assign the responsibilities of the vice-chancellor to the registrar on an interim basis.
The ministry has reached the conclusion that a vice-chancellor will only be appointed after amending the University Act itself and making the eligibility requirements more flexible through revisions.
Registrar Appointment Process
For the appointment of the registrar, the ministry had also issued a call for applications some time ago. Based on that notice, several individuals submitted applications. From among those applicants, the ministry has approved a list of 10 names.
Purpose and Structure of Dasharath Chand University of Health Sciences
The university is being established with the aim of developing human resources in the field of health sciences through quality teaching and learning, and of providing accessible, affordable, and specialist-inclusive quality health science education.
The central office of the university will be located in Geta, Kailali. The tenure of the vice-chancellor is set at four years.
The university will have a chancellor, two pro-chancellors, and one vice-chancellor as the executive head. Likewise, there will be a registrar as the administrative head.
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