Professors padlock universities over vice-chancellor appointment decision

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress-aligned Democratic Professors’ Association and Unified CPN-Maoist-aligned Nepal National Professors’ Organisation today padlocked all the universities across the country to protest the government decision to appoint vice chancellors at the universities.

The two professors’ unions have demanded that the government rolls back the decision.

Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal, in capacity of the chancellor, had appointed vice chancellors at seven universities, including Tribhuvan University, yesterday. Vice chancellor appointment issue had been long-drawn with political parties claiming the posts for their choice of men in the universities. The agitating professors, who have described yesterday’s decision as ‘unilateral’, today padlocked the central offices of four universities, including TU. Since the three other universities don’t have any office, they have called for symbolic padlocking.

Guna Nidhi Neupane, president, DPA, said since the appointment of VCs was against the consensus, they were forced to padlock the universities. “We padlocked all the universities to press the government to reconsider its decision.” Chandra Mani Poudel, general secretary, NNPA said the decision to appoint VCs by a government that will soon step down was unethical. “We understand those who have been appointed are close to either the PM or the education minister,” said Poudel.

No backtracking, says Tuladhar

KATHMANDU: Education Minister Ganga Lal Tuladhar on Tuesday said the decision would not be revoked, come what may. “The newly appointed VCs are eligible for their posts as they were recommended by a selection committee. So the decision cannot be scrapped,” said Tuladhar. “Everyone supports one or the other political ideology; this doesn’t mean that the person is aligned to a certain party. I did my best. I hope I will be justified after their performance evaluation.”