Kathmandu, August 5
Days after two individuals filed a complaint at the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority against the Kathmandu University officials, the university’s official teachers’ union has accused the officials of appointing an executive council member violating existing laws.
As the university registrar Subodh Sharma handed over the appointment letter to associate professor Eku Maya Pun, the official union raised concerns claiming it was not consulted in the process.
“From a gathering of 120 teaching staff, we had forwarded the name of professor Ram Prasad Ghimire for the position,” a high official of the union says, “But, the university did not listen to us and appointed Pun. It is illegal.”
The executive council has five members including the vice chancellor, the registrar and two deans selected in the alphabetical order. The fifth member is selected from among the teachers.
But, Pun is an associate dean of the School of Arts, hence she represents the university leadership, not the teachers, according to him.
Further, the university’s pro-chancellor and Minister for Education Giriraj Mani Pokharel had directed the officials to let the teachers choose their representatives during the senate meeting held last month, according to him. “But, Pun’s appointment disrespected that directive.”
Meanwhile, registrar Sharma refused to comment. He did not pick up calls from Onlinekhabar. Later, he asked the reporter to visit his office in Dhulikhel for comments.
Pun did not respond to calls and text messages.
