Kathmandu, September 13

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today said that the existing dispute between Tribhuvan University and Agriculture and Forestry University would be resolved soon.

Addressing the fifth annual general meeting of AFU held at the prime minister’s official residence in Baluwatar, PM Dahal said it was unfortunate that the two universities were engaged in a bitter dispute over property and staff management.

He said the problem would be addressed through a Cabinet meeting soon.

On the occasion, the prime minister also directed the education minister to come up with a proposal before the Cabinet to resolve the matter.

PM Dahal, who is also the chancellor of AFU, also urged the university authorities to focus on research and introduce programmes that would uplift the living standards of the people living in the rural areas.

“As Nepal’s development is possible only through the development of the agriculture sector, the university must focus on promoting agro-education and research,” he said.

Pro-chancellor of the University and Education Minister Dhaniram Poudel said the university could play a significant role in diversification and modernisation of the agriculture sector for the socio-economic development of the country.

Vice-chancellor Prof Iswari Prasad Dhakal shared the achievements of the university so far and its future action plan. Registrar Prof Manaraj Kolakchhapati tabled budget estimates of Rs 746.1 million for the fiscal 2016/17.