MoEST Notice of the Recommendation Committee for NOU Appointments
This notice is published by the Recommendation Committee formed to recommend names for appointment to the post of Vice-Chancellor pursuant to Sub-section (1) of Section 18 of the Nepal Open University Act, 2073, and to the post of Registrar (Kulsachiv) pursuant to Sub-section (1) of Section 19 of the same Act.
In accordance with the “Procedure, 2082 on Selection and Recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of Nepal Open University,” applicants are requested to submit an application by going to the link posted on the website of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (www.moest.gov.np) and submitting the application within office hours by 2082 Poush 30.
The said procedure is also posted on the Ministry’s website.
New Procedure Issued for Leadership Selection at Nepal Open University
To strengthen the academic and administrative environment of Nepal Open University (NOU) and to select qualified leadership through open competition, the “Procedure, 2082 on Selection and Recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of Nepal Open University” has been issued. The Recommendation Committee formed by exercising the authority provided by Section 22 of the University Act, 2073 has brought this detailed procedure into implementation.
The main objective of this procedure is to identify a capable person who can uphold the dignity of the University and advance the latest technology in the field of distance learning. This process appears to replace the traditional appointment system and adopt a system based entirely on merit (Meritocracy) and transparency.
Strict Standards of Qualification and Experience
The procedure has set strict minimum qualifications for both senior posts.
For the Vice-Chancellor post, the candidate must:
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Have obtained at least a Master’s degree from a recognized university, and
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Be a renowned academic with at least 20 years of experience in teaching or research.
Similarly, for the Registrar post, the candidate must:
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Have a Master’s degree, and
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Have at least 15 years of experience in teaching, research, or administration.
For both posts, provisions state that the candidate must not be a member of any political party and must not have any conflict of interest with the University. These provisions appear to discourage partisan interference.
Basis of Evaluation: Action Plan and Vision Paper
This time, the selection process is not limited only to personal details (CV). Candidates must submit a Vision Paper and a four-year Strategic Action Plan for the University’s improvement.
Out of a total of 100 marks, evaluation will be based on:
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Academic qualifications,
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Research articles published in high-level journals,
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Presentation of the vision paper, and
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Interview.
In particular, priority has been given to articles published in Ranked Journals (SCImago/Scopus), which confirms that special attention has been given to academic quality.
Mechanisms for Transparency and Fairness
To ensure fairness in the selection process, the procedure has arranged a “coding” system. The vision paper and action plan submitted by candidates will be coded so that the author’s identity is not disclosed, and experts will conduct the evaluation confidentially.
In addition, the conflict of interest provision states that if a committee member or an expert has a close relationship with any candidate, they will not be allowed to participate in the evaluation process. This presents a high standard of ethics.
Conclusion
In a context where questions are raised from time to time regarding leadership selection processes in Nepal’s higher education sector, the 2082 procedure introduced by the Open University has shown a positive path toward a solution. It aims not only to fill positions, but to bring into leadership a person with long experience and a clear action plan. If this procedure is followed as written, it is certain to establish a benchmark for other universities in Nepal as well.
For young students and researchers, this procedure is expected to provide a reliable institutional basis where academic competence is valued over political access.
2082/09/16
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