By Deepak Joshi Pokhrel
Over the years, politics has penetrated every institution in the country. Not even a single organization in the country is free from the evil eye of the political parties and their leaders. Educational institutions, hospitals, NGOs, INGOs, and other private organizations etc are excessively politicized raising questions over its credibility and legitimacy. The latest appointment of the vice chancellor of Tribhuwan University–the oldest and most esteemed institution in the country–is just a representative of excessive politicization in the education sector of the country.
It has been a customary practice in Nepal to appoint the vice chancellor and other high-ranking officials of the University based on their political inclination. The government in power prioritize and appoints those who pledge loyalty to them and work as per its whims. The academic credentials and personal experience are hardly taken into account negating the entire selection process. This is how the vice chancellor and other high-ranking officials have been appointed in Nepal.
However, this time around, the scenario was a little different. People from all walks of life raised a strong objection condemning the political appointment of the vice chancellor and other high-ranking officials of the country’s most prestigious educational institution. They demanded that such malpractices should come to an end for the betterment of the education system in the country.
After a considerably lengthy process of selecting a vice chancellor of Tribhuvan University, the chancellor finally appointed an experienced person for the position. Many say that this was the first time in Nepalese education history that such a high-ranking official was appointed based on his experience and academic credentials and not just on political inclination.
On 22 February 2024 Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, in the capacity of the chancellor of Tribhuvan University appointed Professor Keshar Jung Baral as its vice-chancellor. As many as 43 candidates, most of them university teachers, had applied for the position. Of them, 14 were shortlisted and interviewed. They also presented their visions of how they would lead the country’s oldest and largest university. A three-member search committee headed by Minister for Education Ashok Kumar Rai had recommended Chitra Bahadur Budhathoki, Baral and Tankanath Dhamala for the position.
Of course, the newly appointed vice chancellor must be very elated. But the road ahead of the newly appointed vice chancellor is fraught with many obstacles and challenges that have been deeply seated for so many years
The newly appointed vice chancellor will be walking on the eggshells. There are allegations that he has a close connection with the incumbent Prime Minister Dahal. Many believe that he landed the position based on political inclination and not on meritocracy. This is where he has to prove that he was appointed because of his personal experience and academic credentials.
Like other institutions in the country, there are several groups and sub-groups in the university as well. These groups are controlled and managed by different political parties. Their only objective is to hatch a conspiracy and make the incumbent vice chancellor a complete failure in translating his words into action. It remains to be seen how to deal with such pressures and persuasions as he has been alleged to have a close connection with the CPN Maoist Centre.
The immediate challenge of the newly appointed vice chancellor is to oust the non-performing so-called professors, high-ranking officials and other non-teaching staff who are just nothing but an additional burden on the taxpayer’s money. If the media reports are any guide, these professors do not take their responsibilities seriously. It is also reported that many students mainly girls have been sexually assaulted by these professors. A few years ago, a prominent professor, Krishan Bahadur Bhattachan was accused of sexual harassment by a student. Such horrific incidents should be taken with high seriousness and the guilty- no matter who he/she is- should be punished setting the example that no one is above the law.
While thanking his well-wishers, the Vice Chancellor said that his priority is to discourage political appointments that have been taking a huge toll on the quality of the education of the country. He said that we have not been able to address the challenges facing the nation as we have been prioritizing nepotism and favoritism over meritocracy. This was not the first time that the vice chancellor had uttered such words while assuming the office. The erstwhile vice chancellor had also said the same thing when he assumed his office immediately after the appointment but he faced disgraceful days throughout his tenure. Logically speaking, the earlier officials were not much different in this case. We hope that he will stand out from the crowd and deliver on his promise.
Many experts blame that failure to maintain the academic calendar is indeed one of the problems we have been facing for at least four decades in its total history of six decades. They argue that the university is unable to conduct the exam and declare in time. As a result, student who wants to pursue their education abroad falls prey to this. If a university cannot regulate its academic calendar for two-thirds of its operation, any decent observer is sure to consider it shameful.
The other challenges include power sharing in the university. The deserving candidates are ignored as he/she lacks political support while undeserving candidates are appointed. The resultant output from such select crooks will not par standard. This is where he has to prove his mettle bringing such malpractice to an end once and for all.
No doubt, these are daunting challenges given the existing situation. But he was appointed from among the best thinking he can shoulder these challenges effectively. We hope the newly appointed vice chancellor will rise to the occasion and clean the filthy education system that has been plaguing the country’s performance in the international arena. We wish him good luck.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect People’s Review’s editorial stance.
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