KATHMANDU, August 5 Nepal University Teachers’ Association (NUTA) on Wednesday demanded that the prime minister, who is also chancellor of the universities, appoint persons capable of facing challenges and driving the universities in the 21st century as vice-chancellors. A NUTA press statement said that the post of VCs in seven universities will fall vacant from August 8 after the four-year tenure of incumbent VC ends on August 7. The statement said that the new VCs should be selected from among senior professors who are committed to drive the universities in a new way and establish the universities as places for teaching, learning and research activities. It said the new VC should be a far-sighted, capable and qualified person who possesses academic excellence and administrative capabilities. The statement further said NUTA is very hopeful that the PM will take positive steps to end the trend of appointing VCs on the basis of political power sharing and give an opportunity to develop to universities as places of academic pursuit. NUTA on Wednesday said that the appointment of VCs on the basis of political power sharing had ruined the goodwill of universities. Therefore, the concerned authorities should be very careful regarding appointment of VCs this time. NUTA stated that highly qualified apolitical persons should take the responsibility of VCs in the coming days. The post of VCs in seven universities namely Tribhuvan University, Nepal Sanskrit University, Purbanchal University, Pokhara University, Agriculture and Forestry University, Mid-Western University and Far-Western University will fall vacant from this week. The authorities are not serious about it. The PM as chancellor appoints VCs on the recommendation of the Education Minister who is Pro-chancellor of universities.