Key Takeaways:
- Law Minister Sobita Gautam said the proposed National Defence University will be a national institution, not an army-only university
- The university will focus on national security, strategic studies, diplomacy, international relations and cybersecurity
- Lawmakers emphasized the need for academic autonomy, civil-military participation and independence from political interference
- The House of Representatives unanimously approved the proposal to consider the National Defence University Bill, 2083
Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam has said the proposed National Defence University will be a national-level institution and not merely a university of the Nepali Army.
Responding to lawmakers during deliberations on the National Defence University Bill, 2083, in the House of Representatives on Monday, Gautam said the university would not provide military training. She said national security in the changing global context should not be viewed solely through the lens of war and military affairs.
According to Gautam, the university will focus on areas including national security, defence, strategic studies, international relations, diplomacy, economic diplomacy and cybersecurity. It is also envisioned as a centre for high-level academic study, teaching and research, with military and civilian officials from friendly countries able to pursue studies on national security issues.
The bill proposes institutional bodies including a University Senate, Executive Council, Academic Council and Board of Trustees. Gautam said it also distinguishes institutional and policy accountability from day-to-day academic operations.
She said the objective was not to establish another conventional university but an autonomous national institution capable of producing high-level education, research, strategic analysis and policy-related knowledge on national security and defence.
During the discussion, lawmakers stressed the need to ensure university autonomy, academic independence and civil-military participation. They also called for greater focus on cybersecurity, disaster management, artificial intelligence, strategic communications, climate security, diplomacy, crisis management, economics and international relations.
The House unanimously approved the proposal to consider the bill. Lawmakers also urged that changes in university leadership should not be tied to changes in government.