TU faces appointment delays despite shortlist completion

Kathmandu, October 25 — Tribhuvan University is experiencing delays in the appointment of various deans and other positions. Although the selection committee has prepared a shortlist and made recommendations, the appointments remain pending.

On September 2, the selection committee operating under the auspices of the Vice Chancellor issued a notice inviting applications for the roles of deans for eight faculties, six deputy examination controllers, two directors, and eleven campus chiefs.

The committee has already submitted its selections, based on qualifications and performance, to the Rector’s office. However, the Executive Council of Tribhuvan University has yet to proceed with any appointments.

Rector Khadga KC noted that only three faculty deans have been recommended thus far, and stated that they intend to appoint all deans simultaneously once all recommendations have been received.

“To date, recommendations have been made for the deans of three faculties. The committee is currently conducting interviews and presentations for the remaining positions. We have resolved to defer appointments until all processes are completed,” KC remarked.

The protracted delay in these appointments has raised concerns across various sectors, with many regarding the situation with suspicion.

The committee has invited applications for deans of academic institutions and faculties in accordance with Clause 175(2) of the Tribhuvan University Organization and Educational Administration Regulations, 2003, and Section 2 of the Regulations for Appointments to Fixed-term Positions, 2024. Applications were also solicited for the executive director of the Research Centre for Educational Innovation and Development (CERID) in compliance with Section 4, Clause 7 of the same regulations, as well as for the director position of the Planning Directorate under Section 10, Clause 19.

Furthermore, applications were sought for six deputy examination controller positions at the Examination Control Office in Balkhu and the Regional Examination Control Offices, as per Section 2, Clause 3(2) of the Examination Control Office Regulations, 2016, along with Section 16 of the Regulations for Appointments to Fixed-term Positions, 2024.

A shortlist of 30 candidates for the deputy examination controller positions has been released, compiled by the selection committee from a pool of 65 applicants.

Applications were requested for two positions at the Balkhu Examination Control Office and one each for Pokhara, Nepalgunj, Biratnagar, and Madhesh Province. Interviews for these positions are scheduled to take place from October 28 to 30 at the Registrar's Office.

For the Balkhu Examination Control Office, 22 candidates applied, of which 10 were shortlisted.

To date, recommendations have been made for the deans of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Institute of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. Three candidates have been recommended from the shortlist based on their presentations and interviews.

Additionally, 15 applications were received for the Pokhara Regional Office, 13 for Nepalgunj, 9 for Madhesh Province, and 6 for the Biratnagar Regional Office.

The selection committee has thus far recommended three deans, while the remaining candidates on the shortlist are undergoing presentations and interviews.

Tribhuvan University is undertaking its first appointments based on the Regulations for Appointments to Fixed-term Positions, 2024, established to ensure meritocracy in its hiring practices.

The university has sought applications for deans of the Institute of Medicine, the Institute of Engineering, the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, the Institute of Forestry, and the Institute of Science and Technology. Additionally, it invited applications for deans of the Management Faculty, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Faculty of Education.

The campus chief selection committee has called for applications for campus chief positions across eleven campuses, including three located within the Kathmandu Valley.

The committee has requested applications for the following campuses: Pokhara Campus, Ratna Rajya Laxmi Campus, Bishwa Bhasha Campus, Patan Samyukta Campus, Lalitpur Campus, Surya Narayan Satya Narayan Morabait Yadav Campus in Siraha, Tribhuvan Multiple Campus in Palpa, Surkhet Education Campus, Prithvi Narayan Campus in Pokhara, Butwal Multiple Campus, Ram Swaroop Ram Sagar Campus in Janakpur, Doti Multiple Campus, and Jumla Campus.

Rector KC indicated that the selection process is ongoing. “The committee is diligently working. The shortlist has been finalized. Following the presentations and interviews, the committee will forward its recommendations for appointments,” KC stated.

The appointments will be made by the Executive Council of Tribhuvan University based on the committee’s recommendations.