Kathmandu, August 6

Constituent Assembly members today pledged to the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) that they would table the “Open University Bill-2015’ in Parliament to pave way to establish Open University in the country.

NRNA has long been advocating and preparing for the establishment of Open University in the country.

Speaking at a programme organised by Parliamentary Committee on Women, Children, Senior Citizen and Social Welfare today, CA members said that they would initiate the process of tabling the Bill in the Parliament.

Ranju Kumari Jha, chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee said that she will talk to Education Minister Chitralekha Yadav

as soon as she returns to the country from abroad regarding tabling the Bill in the Parliament.

She said the Open University Bill was prepared after long discussion and research, therefore it should be presented in the Parliament at the earliest.

During the programme, Shesh Ghale, president, NRNA, Badri KC, treasurer, NRNA and others were present.

Similarly, CA members such as Asha Koirala, Ganeshman Gurung, Jaya Prakash Tharu, Jayanti Rai, Jiwan Pariyar, Dhaniram Poudel, Nisha Kumari Shah, Badri Pandey, Mina Pun, Minaxi Jha, Yashoda Lama, Ranjana Shrestha, Ratna Devi Gurung, Rajendra Prasad Pandey, Ramhari Subedi, Rita Rawal, Laxman Rajbanshi and Shreemaya Thakali were present at the programme.

Speaking at the programme, Ghale today expressed gratitude for the overwhelming positive response from CA members for establishment of Open University in the country.

The Open University will be an organisation which will inspire intellectuals and individuals living abroad to share their knowledge and finances with their own country, he said.

He further said, “Since Open University will benefit an individual and it will be an institution of ownership of Nepalese people, it should be economically self-reliant as soon as possible.”

He also requested that six NRNA members be added — one each from the NRNA of each continent as university senators.

He also pledged intellectual and economic support to the country if the bill was passed and implemented. CA member Rajendra Prasad Pandey said the government would be pleased to give such opportunity to NRNA members. NRNA suggested that a provision of designating President as the Chancellor of the Open University and using the name ‘Open University of Nepal’ be added.

Regarding the issue of designating the president as the chancellor of University, the CA members opposed such provision favouring the appointment of apolitical personality.