Kathmandu University Faces Controversy Over Dean Appointments

Kathmandu. Kathmandu University (KU), recognized as one of Nepal's most prestigious academic institutions, is currently at the center of controversy due to a dean appointment issue. The university leadership has reappointed the deans, who were removed by an ordinance introduced by the government, on an interim basis 'until further arrangements are made,' leading to dissatisfaction among professors and staff.

Stakeholders say that the acceptance of 'interim' or 'acting' appointments by academic individuals who have already served as full-time deans raises questions about their ethics. Acting Vice-Chancellor Wagle Appointed Interim Before the budget session began, the government introduced an ordinance regarding the removal of officials appointed politically to various bodies. In that context, an ordinance issued on April 20 stipulated that vice-chancellors, registrars, and deans of universities would automatically be removed from their posts.

This ordinance created a significant vacuum at Kathmandu University. Vice-Chancellor Achyut Wagle, Registrar Rajiv Kumar Shrestha, and seven deans were simultaneously removed from their positions. At that time, Prof. Dr. Vedmani Dahal was serving as Dean of KU's School of Science, Prof. Dr. Manish Pokharel of the School of Engineering, Prof. Dr. Balchandra Luintel of the School of Education, Prof. Dr. Manoj Humagain of the School of Medicine, and Prof. Dr. Vijay KC of the School of Management. Additionally, Associate Professor Dr. Uddhav Pyakurel was serving as Dean of the School of Arts, and Associate Professor Dr. Shiva Giri was handling the responsibility of Dean at the School of Law.

The tradition and understanding at Kathmandu University have been that one must be a full professor in the relevant subject to become a dean of various faculties. However, in the School of Arts and the School of Law, two associate professors were given the responsibility of acting (KaMu) deans. Assistant Deans Appointed Acting Responsibilities This Way With the entire upper body of the university vacant, daily administrative and academic work came to a standstill. Following this, a meeting of the university's Board of Trustees was held on April 22. It is reported that the meeting appointed Dr. Rishikesh Wagle, the university's examination controller, as the acting vice-chancellor.

It is stated that he was given the responsibility of vice-chancellor based on his seniority among the vacant positions, in accordance with the university's act and tradition. The very next day after taking responsibility, i.e., on April 23, acting Vice-Chancellor Wagle made arrangements to ensure that the daily work in the vacant dean positions would not be interrupted. He also issued letters to the assistant deans of all faculties of the university 'to handle the dean's work.'

Upon receiving these letters, Prof. Dr. Bhupal Govinda Shrestha was given responsibility in the School of Science, Prof. Dr. Balkrishna Bal as acting dean of the School of Engineering, Prof. Dr. Sheshakanta Pageni in the School of Education, Prof. Dr. Roji Lamichhane in the School of Management, and Prof. Dr. Jagdish Chatut in the School of Medicine. Meanwhile, in the School of Arts, although Dr. Nirmalmani Gyawali was decided to be given the responsibility, it is understood that he refused to accept the letter.

The assistant deans who received responsibility in this manner have been handling the administrative work of their respective faculties. However, they did not have financial authority. 'U-Turn' in Appointments and Escalating Dispute While administrative work was being carried out by the assistant deans, acting Vice-Chancellor Wagle made a decision on May 3. He reappointed the former deans, who had been removed by the ordinance, as deans again, stating 'until further arrangements are made.' Not only that, on May 7, he also reappointed Dr. Rajiv Kumar Shrestha, who had been removed from the registrar's post, to the same position.

This move by the acting vice-chancellor has led to dissatisfaction within the university. Particularly, the acting deans, who received their letters just 10 days prior, have stated that this appointment is legally and ethically immature. 'We were appointed 10 days ago; if it hadn't been for the initial appointment, nothing would have happened. But later, the responsibility was taken away. If they were to get the responsibility again, why were they removed by bringing an ordinance?' said one of the assistant deans whose acting dean responsibility was revoked.

Questions of Ethics and Procedure This reappointment issue has created two main debates at Kathmandu University – one of procedure and another of ethics. There is a question of whether the vice-chancellor can appoint deans in this manner for a full term. Clause 13 of the Kathmandu University Act, 2048 (1991 AD) stipulates that the Executive Council appoints deans upon the recommendation of the vice-chancellor. However, there has been opposition to the vice-chancellor himself making appointments that should be made by the higher body.

Another issue is that of ethics. The currently appointed deans were previously full-time deans. Another professor at the university says that it is shameful for individuals who once received full appointments to now accept interim responsibilities. 'An acting vice-chancellor is supposed to manage daily affairs, but bringing back individuals removed by the government's ordinance through a backdoor is not seen as procedurally sound,' says a professor at the university. According to him, if there were problems with financial authority for the assistant deans to work, a selection committee should have been formally formed to proceed with the appointment of new deans.

Attempts to contact acting Vice-Chancellor Wagle regarding this matter were unsuccessful.