TU Plans Convocations Outside Kathmandu from Next Year

TU Plans Convocations Outside Kathmandu from Next Year

A total of 89,199 students who passed from Tribhuvan University between Ashar 1, 2081 and Jestha 31, 2082 were conferred degrees on Thursday. However, only 16,380 students applied to participate in the convocation ceremony.

This figure covers one academic session across bachelor’s, “Adhisnatak,” master’s, Darshanacharya (MPhil), and Vidyavaridhi (PhD) levels.

Application Participation Remained Low

Only 18 percent of the total graduates submitted an application to attend the convocation ceremony. The remaining 82 percent did not apply to participate.

After low participation in the ceremony, Tribhuvan University has decided to organize convocation ceremonies outside the Kathmandu Valley as well.

Key figures mentioned in the report:

• Total graduates: 89,199

• Applicants to attend the ceremony: 16,380

• Applied: 18 percent

• Did not apply: 82 percent

Reason for Expanding Ceremonies Beyond the Valley

Tribhuvan University is preparing to begin the expanded convocation model from Pokhara, Kaski, starting next year.

The university reached this conclusion because many students face work-related constraints and the cost of attending the ceremony in Kathmandu is high. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Deepak Aryal said that while around 89,000 were graduated this time, only about 16,000 filled the form to attend the ceremony.

He stated that when students come with their guardians, the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwor gets filled. Even so, a large number of students are unable to participate in the ceremony.

He added that students from across the country—from east to west and up to Karnali—face high expenses to travel to Kathmandu with guardians. For students and guardians from remote villages, there is a burden of having to spend large amounts just to attend the convocation ceremony.

It has been found that some students did not come to the Kathmandu ceremony due to the high cost.

Plan to Hold 5–6 Convocation Ceremonies

According to Vice-Chancellor Aryal, Tribhuvan University has prepared to organize 5 to 6 convocation ceremonies.

He gave the example that it costs a lot for students from Dadeldhura to come to Kathmandu with guardians. If a convocation ceremony is held around Kanchanpur, it would not require as much expense, he said.

First Phase: Pokhara and Budget Allocation

Vice-Chancellor Aryal said the first phase is planned for Pokhara.

A team including University Grants Commission Chair Devaraj Adhikari, Vice-Chancellor Aryal, Dean of Studies Khadga KC, and Registrar Kedar Prasad Rijal is going to Pokhara for a study visit.

“We are going next week for the study. We will come back after making all preparations,” Aryal said.

In the University Grants Commission’s format, a budget of around NPR 50 million has also been allocated under the “Pokhara Chapter.” The plan is to station a rector-level official in Pokhara, conduct examinations there, and hold the convocation ceremony there as well.

Gradual Expansion to the East and Expected Outcomes

In the same way, Tribhuvan University has a plan to organize a convocation ceremony in Biratnagar for the eastern region.

Vice-Chancellor Aryal said a convocation is a celebration and everyone should be able to participate. The university is arranging ceremonies outside the valley for students’ convenience.

When the ceremony is held only in Kathmandu, there is often heavy crowding and the event becomes disorderly. Tribhuvan University is working to manage this.

The university expects that holding ceremonies outside Kathmandu will increase student participation and make management easier.