KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has underlined the need to establish the Tribhuvan University as a centre of excellence for learning and research.

Addressing the 42nd Senate meeting of the University in Kirtipur on Wednesday, he said the institution carrying such a long history should adapt its education system to the changed context.

The Prime Minister, who is also the Chancellor of the University, urged the TU authorities to take initiatives towards creating an efficient academic environment, pointing out the need to stay away from over-politicisation.

PM Dahal, meanwhile, stressed decentralising the higher education and granting autonomy to the universities so as to make the higher education accessible to the people of all classes, communities, gender and vocations.

In a different context, PM Dahal spoke of the need of Constitution implementation for institutionalising the political change.

He said the date for the local elections would be determined soon, suggesting that the election of the Free Students Union (FSU) should also be held without hampering the local elections.

Meanwhile, Education Minister and TU Pro-chancellor Dhaniram Poudel said the government would cooperate with the TU to make it competent in the world market.

The oldest university of Nepal is ranked 4241st among all universities in the world.

Vice-chancellor Tirtha Raj Khaniya expressed concerns over what he called the government's tendency of transferring the TU's properties and component colleges to other universities without its consent.

The 55th annual report, amendments to the TU Act and Regulations and structural reforms are some of the agendas discussed in the Senate.

The TU Senate is held twice every year.