VC Selection Procedure Approved in Nepal

News 09 May 2026 696 By: Collegenp

VC Selection Procedure Approved for 8 Universities

Kathmandu. The government has approved an integrated procedure for the selection and recommendation of university vice-chancellors. After the vice-chancellors of 8 universities were removed from office in accordance with the provisions of the “Special Provisions Ordinance on Removal of Public Office Holders, 2083,” the government prepared a new procedure and moved ahead with the vice-chancellor selection process.

According to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, after the procedure was approved, the selection and recommendation committees formed to recommend appointments to the vacant vice-chancellor posts called for applications. The ministry has set a deadline of 10 days to submit applications.

According to ministry Under Secretary Bir Bahadur Dhami, it will take about 1 month for all procedures to be completed and for vice-chancellors to be appointed. He said, “A period of 10 days has been set for applications. It will take about 3 to 4 weeks to complete screening, publish the shortlist, conduct presentations and interviews, and make recommendations.”

The ministry is preparing to make alternative arrangements to facilitate the daily administrative work of universities after the vice-chancellors were removed from office. According to the ministry, an interim arrangement will be made next week so that work is not halted.

Earlier, separate procedures had been implemented for recommending vice-chancellors for each university. The government prepared an integrated procedure for 8 universities to make the appointment process impartial, merit-based, and uniform. However, separate selection and recommendation committees will remain for all 8 universities.

In the case of universities where the Prime Minister serves as Chancellor, further decisions will be made through a meeting of the University Assembly, after which the process of vice-chancellor selection, recommendation, and appointment will move forward.

Qualifications for Vice-Chancellor

Under the procedure, a candidate for the post of vice-chancellor must have obtained at least a PhD degree. The candidate must also have at least 10 years of experience in research and the academic field, and must have demonstrated excellent management skills and competence in the field of educational and academic advancement.

The minimum age for candidates has been set at 40 years. The procedure also requires that candidates must not be members of any political party at the time of application and must be Nepali citizens.

For the vice-chancellor of Lumbini Buddhist University, the candidate must have obtained a PhD degree in a subject related to Buddhist philosophy from a recognized university. For Agriculture and Forestry University, the candidate must have obtained at least a PhD degree in agriculture, veterinary science, or forestry.

Vision Paper and Strategic Work Plan Mandatory

Candidates must submit a vision paper and strategic work plan along with their application. Under the procedure, candidates must mention their details only on the cover page.

The vision paper and work plan must be submitted separately in sealed envelopes without any identifying mark or sign that reveals the applicant’s identity. This is expected to keep the candidate’s identity confidential and ensure selection based on merit.

One candidate may apply for the post of vice-chancellor at 2 universities.

Three Names to Be Recommended to the Chancellor

The selection and recommendation committee will select 3 candidates who receive the highest marks based on evaluation, including the candidates’ presentations and interviews. The names of those 3 candidates will be recommended to the Chancellor for appointment as vice-chancellor.

The procedure allows the committee to form an expert subcommittee for candidate selection. Subject experts may be used to evaluate the candidates’ qualifications, work plans, and vision papers.

The procedure also includes provisions for conflict of interest. If a close relative of any committee member, a subcommittee formed by the committee, or any expert submits an application for the post of vice-chancellor, such a member or expert will not be allowed to participate in the evaluation process.

Marks Distribution for Evaluation

Schedule 2 of the procedure sets out the marks distribution for qualifications, experience, vision paper, work plan, presentation, and interview.

10 marks have been allocated for work experience in the post of professor.
Candidates with experience as officials of a domestic or foreign university or academy will receive 1 mark per year, up to 4 marks for a maximum of 4 years.
5 marks will be provided for up to 2 books written and published with ISBN registration.
6 marks have been allocated for up to 2 completed academic research projects in the field of higher education, at the rate of 3 marks per research project.
6 marks have been allocated for up to 4 national-level academic research projects, at the rate of 1.5 marks per research project.
10 marks have been allocated for publication of research articles in the field of higher education.
15 marks have been allocated for evaluation of the university-related vision paper.
10 marks have been allocated for evaluation of the university’s 4-year strategic work plan.
20 marks have been allocated for the presentation, and 20 marks for the interview.

With the new procedure, the ministry has stated that the process of application, preliminary selection, shortlist publication, presentation, interview, and recommendation for vacant vice-chancellor posts will proceed on the basis of uniform standards.