‘Appoint VCs from among academics, experts’

Kathmandu, August 19

Student unions aligned to major political parties today demanded that the government appoint apolitical persons in the vacant posts of Vice-chancellors (VC) in seven universities.

A meeting of student unions — Nepal Students Union aligned to Nepali Congress, All Nepal National Free Students Union aligned to CPN-UML, All Nepal National Independent Students Union-Revolutionary aligned to UCPN-Maoist and others — today decided to draw the attention of the government regarding the vacancies in universities as no appointments have been made.

A joint statement issued here today by student unions said the government should rise above political power-sharing mentality while appointing VCs.

They urged the government to select VCs from among academicians and experts.

The student unions asked the Ministry of Education (MoE) to implement the agreement reached with student unions regarding revising schools’ tuition fee, formulating scientific fee fixation system, taking action against schools operating illegally, and others.

The unions have further urged the government to stop using force on the agitating public who express their dissatisfaction with the draft of constitution and to provide compensation to the kin of those who lost their lives during protests and provide medical cost to the injured.

They demanded political parties to issue the constitution on the basis of political consensus following the suggestions given by the public.