KATHMANDU: Former Vice Chancellors (VCs) of various universitites appealed to the political parties to stop interfering into the academic sector.

Releasing an appeal amid a press conference organised by Forum of Former VCs Nepal (FFVC) on Wednesday, they said that political interference was fuelling anarchism and impunity.

They stated that the misuse of educational sector for political interest was condemnable. "Due to the political interference, various educational projects have not been able to get momentum and achieve the desired results," the appeal stated.

Speaking at the press conference, Dr Kedar Bhakta Mathema, former VC, said that the need of the hour was to make a national consensus among the political parties and other leaders to avoid unnecessary political interference in the sector.

Dr Kamal Krishna Joshi, president of University Grant Commission, who is also a former VC of Tribhuvan University, said that the university education had already come to an endangered state. "This is not a good sign in higher education sector that produces skilled human resources for the country, Hence, we want to make the academic sector flourish again as before, which is possible only if the political parties stop their political activities there."

Mahesh Kumar Upadhaya, another erstwhile VC, said, "Only after avoiding political interference, the academic norms can be established."Madhav Raj Gautam, former VC of Sanskrit University, "The parties’ intervention will only bring anarchism in future."