Pokhara — Tribhuvan University (TU), Nepal’s first and largest university, has presented a plan to restructure itself and establish provincial universities in all provinces. Preparations are underway to begin this process from Pokhara in Gandaki Province.
The issue was discussed at a workshop organized by TU in Pokhara on Saturday, Falgun 9, 2082 (BS). TU’s Senate meeting held on Mangsir 10 (BS) had decided to begin preparations to develop Prithvi Narayan Campus in Gandaki Province as a provincial university and to move it forward as a degree-awarding institution.
TU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Deepak Aryal said this step would simplify TU’s service delivery, make all required student services and facilities available closer to students, and create conditions for all students to attend convocation ceremonies. He said TU should decentralize itself by embracing the spirit of federalism introduced in the country, adding that there could be some policy and legal challenges, but TU would move forward by addressing them.
University Grants Commission Chair Prof. Dr. Devaraj Adhikari urged officials to show courage for change and transformation in universities. He said they cannot remain in the past and called on professors—who are expected to transform society—to be fearless and confident. He also said the focus should no longer be on opening new universities, and that the Commission and the Government of Nepal are ready to support efforts to organize and strengthen existing institutions, as they have been doing.
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Secretary Chudamani Poudel requested that academic administration be made simpler, more effective, and more organized through delegation of authority to improve service delivery. TU Dean Prof. Dr. Khadga KC said the Gandaki Chapter is an effort to realize a dream envisioned 40 years ago. TU Registrar Prof. Dr. Kedar Prasad Rizal said such a step is necessary for quality higher education.
Former TU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Kesharjung Baral said that if this concept is implemented at Prithvi Narayan Campus, many students would receive services and facilities, and the entire Gandaki Province would benefit.
Gandaki Chapter Task Force Coordinator Prof. Dr. Lalu Prasad Poudel argued that, for localizing higher education, designing curricula according to market needs, and making study and research more effective, the University of California model would be appropriate. He presented a working paper covering the simplification of the examination system, making process-driven and cumbersome academic administration more effective, academic challenges, an overall management review of major universities around the world, and the direction TU could take.
Prof. Dr. Poudel emphasized moving forward with the concept of one university in each province by delegating all powers except policy authority. He said it would be appropriate to establish a university in each province with full autonomy while keeping policy authority at the center, suggesting a name such as “TU Gandaki” or something similar. He also expressed the view that such universities should not be able to grant affiliations.
Prithvi Narayan Campus Chief Prof. Dr. Hari Prasad Pathak presented a working paper on the development of the Gandaki Chapter, covering the campus’s physical and human resource status as well as issues including financial resource management.
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