Arrogance has to go

This refers to the edit page article “KU needs change, more than ever” (THT, Dec. 17). Kathmandu University (KU) was established with the vision of providing Nepali students with a

disciplined academic institution. Scheduled and fair examinations, hiring competent faculties and staff and eliminating nepotism, favouritism and corruption were the main things that led to the founding of KU. Almost two decades on, however, KU is mired in controversy, which is mostly to be attributed to the evils fostered by its current VC Prof. Suresh Raj Sharma. The weakest aspect of his administration lies not only in his promotion of the practice of nepotism but also in his penchant for coming down heavily on dissenters. Added to it is the adoption of highly undesirable methods to suppress agitating teachers. The VC and his cronies claim that unions lead to politicisation of the university. This cannot be refuted. But at KU, we need teachers’ union to bring an end to the VC’s dictatorship. For instance, Sharma generally selects teachers’ representative in the “Executive Council” from amongst his relatives and sycophants. If it is mandatory to have a teachers’ representative in the “Executive Council”, why not allow this selection to be made through consultations with the teachers. To serve that cause, the importance of a non-political professional body like KUPA is beyond dispute.

S B Shrestha, former Asst. Professor, Mechanical

Engineering, KU

Employment

Apropos of the news report “Malaysia not hiring, Qatar bent on firing” (THT, Dec. 17), it is learnt that as a result of the global economic recession the demand for Nepali youths in several capitalist economies is declining. Many of them could be ejected and sent home. I would like to opine that a policy of “tax-free and strike-free republic” would help generate massive employment and economic opportunities. It would create opportunities for all those who might return from foreign countries.

V P Sayami, Kathmandu

Virulent

Apropos of the news report “45 per cent Nepalis have TB, says SAARC report” (THT, Dec. 16), I would like to divert the focus to the zoonotic aspect of the disease. It may be surprising that bovine tuberculosis infects a large number of people. Mycobacterium bovis is a zoonotic organism that causes TB both in human and animals. This type of TB occurrence in Nepal could be greater due to the proximity of animal and human habitats.

Infected animals and humans, contaminated raw milk and associated products are the main sources of bovine tuberculosis. It should be noted that the Mycobacterium bovis shows a high degree of virulence for both humans and cattle.

Dr Sital Kaji Shrestha, India

Unfair

Although the constitution allows one to apply for citizenship certificate on the basis of maternal lineage, hundreds of people are still being denied the right owing to administrative hassles. Local officials are still ignorant about the current legislation. If the government cannot effectively implement the laws, why should it introduce new bills at all?

Raj Kumar Shrestha, Chanuwa-7, Dhankuta