Government Preparing to Appoint Academic Experts as University Chancellors

Dhulikhel. Prime Minister Sushila Karki has stated that the government is committed to ending the politicization of higher education. She announced that preparations are underway to amend the act to allow for the appointment of an academic personality to the post of University Chancellor.

Addressing the 31st Convocation Ceremony of Kathmandu University in Dhulikhel, she mentioned that the government is committed to ending the party-political interference seen in the higher education sector under the current structure.

She said, “The non-politicization of higher education, along with increased investment, is an urgent necessity now. Recognizing that unnecessary party interference in educational administration has continuously affected Nepal's higher education sector, we have taken some concrete steps. 

For some time now, the need to modify the system where the Prime Minister is the University Chancellor has been felt. Education Minister Mahabir Pun is seriously consulting and working with educationists, university vice-chancellors, and other stakeholders on this matter. We are moving towards amending the act to establish a system where an academic person serves as the Chancellor.”

Prime Minister Karki noted that Official Intelligence, Virtual Reality, and geopolitical changes are creating new challenges and opportunities in higher education globally, and reiterated the need for Nepal to significantly increase its investment in the sector.

She stated that the model established by Kathmandu University in innovation and academic excellence should be adopted by other universities as well. She presented the practices of offering competitive remuneration, enhancing skills, and adding modern programs as exemplary models worthy of emulation.

The Prime Minister expressed happiness over the decision that the new secretariat of the Himalayan University Consortium, established under ICIMOD in 2007, will be coming to Kathmandu University. 

She conveyed the government’s assessment that this will play a significant role in bringing the collective voice of the Himalayan nations, which are grappling with the challenges of climate change, to the world stage.

Prime Minister Karki congratulated the university for its success in increasing student enrollment this year. She stressed the necessity of developing a quality and affordable study environment within the country, especially when a large number of Nepali students are compelled to study abroad.