KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 29
Tribhuvan University (TU) has decided to discontinue the longstanding practice of awarding the 'kulapati padak' (chancellor medal) starting this year. Traditionally, this medal was presented annually on TU's convocation day.
The decision not to distribute the medal this year was attributed to the challenge of selecting the student with the highest marks under the semester system, as explained by Pushpa Raj Joshi, the examination controller at the Office of Controller of Examinations, TU.
He stated, 'We used to award the medal to a student with the highest marks across nine master's level subjects. However, with results now based on grading in the semester system, distinguishing the top-performing student has become problematic.'
Joshi further clarified, 'Previously, the selection for the medal was based on the percentage of marks obtained by a student with the highest marks. The decision to suspend the medal distribution this year is due to the difficulty in distinguishing the best student, given the current evaluation method using the semester-based grading system.'
The chancellor medal, which included three tolas of gold (11.66 grams per tola) and a certificate, was traditionally awarded to a student achieving the highest marks in all nine postgraduate subjects.
Meanwhile, TU's 49th convocation ceremony is scheduled for December 18 at the Dasharath Stadium. The registrar, Prof Dr Peshal Dahal, highlighted the challenge posed by the grading system, making it difficult to recommend students for the medal.
He explained, 'It was once easy to identify the best student based on marks from the first annual test. However, with the grading system implemented across all master's level subjects, distinguishing the outstanding student has become challenging.'
Dr. Dahal noted that the grading system, a global practice, has been implemented in Nepal and anticipates its gradual implementation in the bachelor's level as well."
