Tribhuvan University Still Without Vice Chancellor After Three Months

It has been over three months since the Vice Chancellor position at Tribhuvan University (TU) became vacant, but the appointment process has yet to gain momentum.

The three-member Vice Chancellor Recommendation Committee, formed to oversee the appointment process, has fallen into procedural confusion, causing further delays.

The committee was formed on Jestha 6, 2082, by TU Chancellor and Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, with Vice Chancellor and Education Minister Raghuraj Pant as its coordinator.

More than a month has passed since the committee’s formation, but its progress has been slow. Coordinator Pant acknowledged that changes in the Ministry of Education, including the transfer of Secretary Chudamani Paudel, contributed to the delay.

Since the transfer, the committee has held only one meeting, which resulted in a general discussion without any concrete progress. Another reason for the delay is the foreign trip of committee member and National Planning Commission (Education) representative Geeta Kumari Paudel, which has postponed further deliberations.

Stuck Between Two Selection Methods

The core reason for the delay lies in the indecision over the selection process—whether to open a public call for applications or directly recommend a shortlist of candidates to the Chancellor.

According to Section 18 of the Tribhuvan University Act, 2049:

“A committee shall be formed under the chairpersonship of the Vice Chancellor, including two members of the assembly, to recommend candidates. Based on the committee’s recommendation, the Chancellor shall appoint the Vice Chancellor.”

Based on this provision, the committee is authorized to directly recommend names without a public call.

Leadership Prefers Simpler Process

Both Minister Pant and Prime Minister Oli appear to be inclined to avoid the lengthy open competition process this time. While Minister Pant hasn’t publicly confirmed this, he has informally expressed a preference for a quicker and simpler method as per TU rules.

According to sources at the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Oli is also not in favor of unnecessarily prolonging the process in the name of “meritocracy.” The current committee may directly recommend three candidates to the Chancellor, following the standard TU procedure.

Previous Appointment Faced Criticism

The earlier appointment process was different. Under the direction of then-Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Education Minister Sumana Shrestha implemented a merit-based selection process through open competition.

Although three names were recommended through that system, then-Chancellor Prachanda appointed the second-ranked candidate, Prof. Dr. Keshar Jung Baral, as Vice Chancellor on Falgun 10, 2080.

The decision to skip the top candidate triggered heavy criticism, particularly from student groups and leaders aligned with CPN-UML, who labeled the process as symbolic and manipulated.

TU Left Without Leadership Again

Just 13 months into the role, Baral resigned on 2081 Chaitra 15, leaving Tribhuvan University once again without permanent leadership.

Currently, former Rector Prof. Dr. Khadka KC has been assigned to act as Vice Chancellor, while the official selection process remains stuck.

Rising Political Lobbying

While the committee is caught in procedural confusion, aspiring candidates are actively lobbying for the position. Both seasoned officials and new aspirants are seeking political backing, frequently visiting the Ministry of Education and the Prime Minister’s residence.

Several candidates are using their party leaders and political influence to advance their names. Although the search committee had expressed intent to recommend names within Asar, the ongoing procedural disagreements and political maneuvering have made a timely appointment increasingly uncertain.