Tribhuvan University (TU) has also invited members who had expressed dissatisfaction after being left out of the university’s Assembly meeting scheduled for Asoj 22.
After concerns were raised that several members had not been invited to the Assembly meeting, university officials scheduled a separate meeting for the omitted members at 3:00 PM on Friday.
According to Dipak Raj Joshi, President of the Free Students’ Union at TU Central Campus and a member of the University Assembly, those invited include two Free Students’ Union presidents, the president of the Nepal Professors’ Association, the president of the Nepal Employees’ Association, the president of the Tribhuvan University Professors’ Association, two representatives from the Nepal Public Campus Association, and five professors elected to the TU Assembly.
The representatives had expressed dissatisfaction with the university leadership, arguing that the process was being pushed forward while overlooking the mandatory participation of professors, employees and Free Students’ Union representatives.
Under the applicable rules, Assembly members are required to receive notice of the meeting and its agenda at least 15 days in advance. However, some members said they had not received any formal information about the meeting.
Legal Status and Structure of the TU Assembly
The Tribhuvan University Assembly is the university’s highest governing body. It is responsible for approving the university’s policies and programmes, long-term plans, regulations and budget.
The Assembly is generally required to meet twice a year.
Under the Tribhuvan University Act, 2049, as amended in 2082, the Chancellor serves as Chairperson of the University Assembly, while the Pro-Chancellor serves as Vice-Chairperson and the Vice-Chancellor is a member.
The Rector serves as Member-Secretary of the Assembly.
Other members include the Registrar, the secretary of the ministry responsible for education and sports, the Finance Ministry secretary, the National Planning Commission member responsible for education, one former Vice-Chancellor, and two representatives selected from among officials of the Nepal Academy, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), and Vice-Chancellors of other universities.
Academic and Institutional Representation
The legal structure of the Assembly also provides for representation from different academic and institutional groups.
Representatives include:
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Deans of institutes and faculties
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Executive directors of research centres
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Five representatives selected from among department heads
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Campus chiefs of constituent and affiliated campuses
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Five teachers elected from among those who have completed at least 15 years of permanent service
The five teacher representatives are elected through the proportional single transferable vote system.
The structure is intended to ensure participation from academic, administrative and institutional representatives in the university’s highest governing body.
Under the Act, members of the University Assembly who are neither ex-officio nor elected are nominated by the Chancellor on the recommendation of the Executive Council.
Discontent Over Meeting Procedure
The dispute emerged after professors, employees and student representatives said some statutory Assembly members had not been formally informed about the meeting scheduled for Asoj 22.
Their concern centred on both representation and procedure, particularly the requirement to notify Assembly members and provide the meeting agenda in advance.
Following the objections, TU officials also invited the previously omitted members and arranged the separate Friday meeting.
The development comes ahead of the scheduled University Assembly meeting, where the university’s key institutional matters are expected to be considered.
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