218 Candidates Apply for Vice Chancellor Positions at Eight Universities

A total of 218 candidates have applied for the vice chancellor positions at eight universities. According to the Ministry of Education, 50 applications were received for Tribhuvan University, 38 for Purbanchal University, 38 for Pokhara University, 19 for Sudurpashchim University, 20 for Mid-Western University, 11 for Lumbini Buddhist University, 15 for Agriculture and Forestry University, and 27 for Rajarshi Janak University. The ministry released this list on Wednesday.

A 10-day open call was announced on 25th Baisakh for new vice chancellors. Following the dismissal of vice chancellors through an ordinance, the process to select new ones began. A committee chaired by Education Minister Sasmita Pokharel has been formed to recommend names for the vice chancellor posts. This committee will establish expert subcommittees to shortlist candidates. A new procedure has also been issued for this selection process.

Candidate evaluation will be conducted based on educational qualifications, research experience, strategic vision, work plan, and presentation. An initial assessment will shortlist the top 10 candidates with the highest scores, whose names will be publicly announced. Subsequently, public feedback will be collected. The final phase will involve presentations and interviews. Candidates will be required to propose strategies for university reform, expansion of research, administrative improvements, and enhancement of academic quality.

Applicants must hold a doctoral degree and have at least 10 years of research and academic experience. High ethical standards, non-affiliation with any political party, and a self-declaration of no intellectual plagiarism in writing are mandatory. Candidates must be at least 40 years old and must have no conflicts of interest with the respective universities. Appointment of vice chancellors will not be based on political bargaining or influence.