Committee formed to recommend vice-chancellors in universities

Kathmandu: A recommendation committee has been formed to recommend vice-chancellors for universities. Prime Minister Balen Shah has constituted a three-member committee under the chairmanship of Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel. The members of the committee include the Education Secretary and the member overseeing education at the Planning Commission.

“The Prime Minister has formed a committee under the chairmanship of the Education Minister. Now the process will move forward,” said an official from the Ministry of Education. “A public notice will be issued by tomorrow for the call for vice-chancellors.”

The government has stated that office-bearers will be appointed to universities through open competition.

A source close to the Ministry of Education said that preparations are underway to form an expert committee to select names. The expert team will shortlist names and submit them to the committee chaired by the Education Minister. Vice-chancellors are to be appointed through a merit-based competition process.

“Discussions are ongoing on the method and process. The selection method will also be included in the public notice,” said the ministry official. Similarly, the government is currently preparing to appoint acting vice-chancellors in universities for the interim period. The process of appointing new vice-chancellors has been initiated after the government dismissed all university officials through an ordinance.