400 Tribhuvan University Professors Misused Study Leave

A total of 187 teachers and staff from Tribhuvan University (TU) have been found to have not returned after availing themselves of study leave. This conclusion was drawn during an investigation by a committee formed to trace staff who failed to return.

According to Dipak Tiwari, Head of the Coordination Division and Member Secretary of the committee, 231 individuals went on study leave but did not submit proof of graduation.

The investigation report has been submitted to TU officials, stating that 187 did not return and 213 did not present their academic completion certificates.

Committee Mandated to Verify and Investigate

TU authorities have assigned the same committee to re-verify and further investigate the issue immediately. The problem of staff not returning after long-term leave had persisted for some time. TU had earlier formed an investigation committee, led by Dr. Jivan Kafle, to look into the matter.

Misuse of Study Leave by 400 Professors

The committee formed by TU found that 400 professors misused the study leave facility. This followed the publication of reports highlighting the abuse of leave provisions.

On 29 Poush, TU established the investigative committee led by Associate Professor Dr. Jivan Kafle, with Dipak Tiwari as Member Secretary and Krishnahari Acharya as a member.

The three-member committee conducted a five-month investigation and submitted a report to TU officials on Friday, identifying the misuse by 400 professors.

According to the report, 187 teachers and staff did not return after completing their leave, while 213 failed to present their degree certificates.

“We personally visited various campuses to conduct verification,” said Coordinator Kafle. “The number of professors who did not submit certificates is very high.”

The report was handed to Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khadga K.C., Registrar Prof. Dr. Kedar Prasad Rijal, and Rector Prof. Dr. Duvinanda Dhakal.

Salary-Paid Study Leave and Legal Obligations

TU grants paid study leave to its teachers for academic purposes. Professors on five-year study leave continue to receive salaries.

According to TU’s Teacher and Staff Service Rules 2050, those who take leave for more than three years (up to five years) must serve the university for at least five years upon return. Those on three-year leave are obligated to serve for at least three years.

If a teacher does not return, the rules mandate returning all salaries and benefits received during the leave period, with 10% annual interest.

However, many professors receive salaries from TU while residing and working abroad, including in the USA, Australia, Canada, and European countries, and ultimately never return.

Violation of Written Agreements and Financial Loss

Before taking leave, professors sign a legally binding agreement pledging to return. It includes a clause requiring repayment of all salary and benefits with interest if they fail to return. The agreement is signed in front of three witnesses. Despite this, most professors fail to follow the terms.

The rules state that if a teacher is absent without notice for 90 consecutive days, they can be removed from service. However, no disciplinary action has been taken against those who disappeared for years, nor have they repaid their salaries.

This has resulted in financial losses of over NPR 2 billion to Tribhuvan University.

High Costs and Temporary Hiring

Granting study leave for a single PhD candidate costs TU up to NPR 4 million. Paid study leave intends to produce expert faculty.

However, when permanent staff do not return, TU is forced to hire contract and part-time faculty to manage academic responsibilities.

Disciplinary Action and Verification Process

The report submitted by the committee recommends action against professors who misused study leave. TU officials have confirmed that action will be taken after reviewing the report.

“We will take action against those who abused the study leave,” said Registrar Prof. Dr. Kedar Prasad Rijal.

The committee has been given more time to complete further verification of the 400 listed professors.

“We’ve been granted additional time for further verification,” said Member Secretary Dipak Tiwari. TU previously had no clear data on how many professors had taken study leave, how many returned, or how many stayed abroad.

The committee has now prepared an initial dataset, and additional time has been allocated to enhance the robustness of the findings.

“We’re working on post-verification,” said Coordinator Kafle. “No fixed deadline has been set, but we will complete the verification process soon.”