Kathmandu, August 21
Delays in appointing rectors, registrars and Senate members have affected the approval of budgets and policy programmes at several public universities, leaving some institutions to operate on advance expenditure from the previous fiscal year.
At Tribhuvan University (TU), the new fiscal year has already begun, but its budget and annual policy and programmes have not yet been approved.
The university celebrated its annual day on July 23, but the Senate meeting could not be held due to the absence of newly appointed officials and Senate members.
“The registrar and rector have not been appointed. The budget is presented by the registrar, and the Senate has to approve it. Since the new appointments have not been made, the Senate meeting could not be held,” a Tribhuvan University central office employee said.
Tribhuvan University has been operating through advance expenditure since the beginning of the new fiscal year.
The delay has also affected the graduation process for thousands of students. According to TU, the graduation list of more than 90,000 students needs to be approved. The Examination Control Office has already prepared the list, but it cannot be endorsed until the Senate meets.
A Tribhuvan University professor said the Senate cannot convene without the required number of members.
“At least 50 percent of the members are required to hold the Senate meeting. But the senators have not been appointed. Without senators, the meeting cannot take place, and without the Senate, the university cannot function properly,” the professor said.
Tribhuvan University spokesperson Nabindra Bhandari, however, said preparations were underway to convene the Senate.
“Regular work is continuing. Preparations are being made to hold the Senate meeting,” he said.
The government appointed Tribhuvan University Vice-Chancellor Bhola Thapa on July 3 after university office-bearers were removed through an ordinance. However, nearly one and a half months after his appointment, the university is yet to get a full team of officials.
According to university officials, Vice-Chancellor Thapa has recommended names for rector and registrar, and the recommendations have been sent to the Office of the Prime Minister.
“The names have been recommended. We were told that the appointments would be made this week,” a Tribhuvan University official said.
Sources said the appointments have been delayed after disagreements emerged over the recommended names.
At present, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology Prof Dr Shankar Khanal is serving as acting rector, while Dean of the Faculty of Management Mahananda Chalise is serving as acting registrar.
The problem is not limited to Tribhuvan University. Several other universities are also functioning without permanent registrars, including Pokhara University, Purbanchal University, Mid-Western University, Agriculture and Forestry University, Nepal Sanskrit University and Far-Western University.
At Pokhara University, Vice-Chancellor Devendra Adhikari said the appointment process was underway.
“The names have been recommended and we have been told that the appointments will be made this week. The executive body has to make recommendations, while the Chancellor appoints the Senate members from different categories. Only after that can the Senate be convened,” he said.
Pokhara University is currently operating on last year’s budget. According to Adhikari, the university can spend up to 33 percent of the previous year’s budget under the existing arrangement.
Far-Western University, meanwhile, has already approved its budget through an acting registrar.
“We have an acting registrar at present. The process for a new appointment is underway and the recommendation has already been sent,” Vice-Chancellor Kishan Dutta Bhatta said.
Rajर्षि Janak University has also been affected by the absence of a registrar. Its budget has not yet been approved.
“The budget is stuck because there is no registrar. A name has been recommended, and once the appointment is made, the Senate will meet and approve the budget,” Vice-Chancellor Shyam Narayan Labh said.
Agriculture and Forestry University has approved its budget through its acting registrar. The university, however, has not yet recommended a candidate for the permanent position.
“We have not recommended a new registrar. Work has not stopped here, and the budget was approved by the end of June,” Vice-Chancellor Rishiram Kattel said.
Kathmandu University has also approved its budget. The budget was endorsed during a Senate meeting held in June for preparations for the university’s convocation. However, the university is yet to appoint a new registrar.
Meanwhile, Lumbini Buddhist University and Nepal Open University are still awaiting the appointment of vice-chancellors.
Most of the universities are currently relying on acting rectors and registrars to run their day-to-day affairs.
Professors and officials at the affected universities say the prolonged vacancies are beginning to hamper important institutional and long-term decisions.
Officials at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said recommendations made by university vice-chancellors for rector and registrar appointments have already reached the Office of the Prime Minister.
“The names are probably being studied at the Prime Minister’s Office. The rector and registrar are appointed by the Chancellor,” a ministry official said.
With appointments and Senate formation still pending at several universities, institutions face continued uncertainty over their budgets, policy decisions and other statutory processes at the start of the new fiscal year.
