Tribhuvan University Disrupted Due to Ongoing Lockout

Tribhuvan University Disrupted Due to Ongoing Lockout

For the past two weeks, all major academic, administrative, and financial operations at Tribhuvan University have come to a halt due to protests by faculty and students.

Offices Locked by Part-Time Faculty

Since Jesth 30, part-time faculty have locked the offices of the Vice-Chancellor, Rector, Registrar, and the Service Commission. Due to the lockout of the main entrances of these offices, the activities of the University Assembly, Executive Council, Academic Council, Planning Council, International Relations, and the Chief Legal Advisor have been suspended.

Registrar’s Departments Also Affected

Departments under the Registrar, such as Financial Administration, General Administration, Planning Council, Audit Division, Personnel Administration, and Information and Public Relations, have also stopped functioning.

Similarly, four departments under the Rector’s Office have remained closed due to the lockout.

Prior Student Lockout Still in Place

Before the faculty action, the Nepal Student Union had already locked the same executive offices. Their locks have not been removed either.

With the end of the fiscal year approaching, the lockout has placed additional pressure on the university. Beyond the disruption to regular services, the larger issue now is the obstruction in preparing the budget for the fiscal year 2082/83.

Budget Session Announced Despite Lockout

Tribhuvan University has called a budget session for Asar 22 with the approval of the Prime Minister and Chancellor, KP Sharma Oli. However, as the central offices are locked, work related to the budget session is not progressing effectively.

Officials Operating from Pulchowk Campus

At present, university officials are operating from the Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk. The policy and programs for the upcoming fiscal year were also passed from there.

Registrar Prof. Dr. Kedar Rijal stated that, since the session date is already fixed, the budget is being prepared from outside the main office. He hopes the lockout will be lifted before the session convenes.

Staff Working from Alternative Offices

Other university staff who are unable to access their offices are working from places like the Examination Control Office, Research Centre, and Dean’s Office.

One employee remarked, “On the surface, it looks like we are working, but how can you really work when the files and staff are in different places?”

Root Cause: Faculty Appointment Dispute

The ongoing protest began after the Tribhuvan University Service Commission announced a 'fast track' recruitment for 130 professors (100 associate professors and 30 full professors).

Part-time faculty launched the protest, alleging that the fast-track method was an attempt to recruit favored individuals. The protest committee is demanding that all part-time faculty be hired on a contract basis and allowed to compete fairly.

Legal Objection and Wider Dissent

Committee Chairperson Gokul Lechhawa Limbu stated that the recruitment process violates the university’s laws and regulations. Other faculty organizations have also submitted memorandums to university officials expressing dissatisfaction. According to university sources, even the Public Service Commission has raised concerns regarding the hiring process.

Mediation Committee Formed but No Resolution Yet

Tribhuvan University has formed a three-member dialogue committee led by former Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Management, Prof. Dilip Parajuli, to negotiate with the protestors. However, no resolution has been reached so far.