Tribhuvan University Issues Final Warning to Employees Who Have Not Returned from Study Leave; What Consequences Await Defaulters?
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Anand Bahadur Chand, the Member of Parliament from Kailali District representing the National Independent Party (Raswapa), disagrees with Tribhuvan University’s continuous reminders urging teachers and staff on study leave abroad to return or face penalties in accordance with regulations.
He explains that after completing his PhD overseas and returning, he submitted a formal resignation along with repaying nearly NPR 4.5 million to the university.
However, university records indicate several individuals have neither returned within the stipulated timeframe nor resumed their services, and they still owe the university unpaid sums. Experts have highlighted the economic and academic losses suffered by the country’s largest and oldest university due to this.
“This issue requires firm attention. Since all of them went abroad for PhDs, perhaps they are engaged in good work there. They may hesitate to return questioning what awaits them in Nepal,” he said.
Three Types of Loss
The trend of teachers and staff, sponsored by Nepali taxpayers to obtain higher education conditional on returning to service, remaining abroad for extended periods has caused academic, financial, and ethical harm to Tribhuvan University.
“Nepal might be unique among developing countries in offering study leave with full salary and benefits for up to five years. This initiative was launched to enable knowledge gained abroad to be utilized domestically, but we have found instances of abuse of this facility,” said former Education Director Prof. Khadga KC.
Since the previous executive committee of the university, some disciplinary measures have been taken against this trend. With the new government, these efforts have intensified, yet some employees continue to ignore the directives. For them, a 15-day notice was issued on Wednesday.
The notice issued by Tribhuvan University’s Study Leave Management Committee states, “Teachers and employees who have not returned after study leave and have not completed their service period are requested to contact within 15 days.”
“Otherwise, legal proceedings will be initiated as per the agreements with the university,” the notice clearly warns.
Committee coordinator Jeevan Kafle has urged recipients to consider this their final warning.
What Is This Dispute About?
According to Tribhuvan University regulations, teachers and staff may request study leave for up to five years.
This leave includes full salary and benefits, with payments credited to their accounts while studying abroad.
Upon accepting study leave, they must sign a contract agreeing to complete their service period upon return or, if not, to repay the equivalent salary and benefits along with 10% interest.
Notices like the current one are issued to those who have neither returned nor repaid the funds.
How Many Are Yet to Return?
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“We have identified 260 such teachers and staff members. Of these, 50 have repaid the dues and some have submitted applications,” said committee coordinator Jeevan Kafle.
According to Tribhuvan University, more than NPR 118.4 million has so far been recovered from 50 professors who have not resumed service after study leave.
“The university provides study leave to develop skilled, research-oriented, and internationally competent academic staff. However, the failure of some professors to return after completing their studies has caused financial, academic, and scholarly harm to the university,” stated the Secretariat of the Ministry of Education.
According to coordinator Kafle, some defaulters have remained absent since 1975 in the Nepali calendar (around 1918 AD) and nearly NPR 100 million remains unpaid.
The recovered amounts can be used for the university’s research and academic activities.
What Are the Next Steps in Enforcement?
Most of those who have not returned are believed to be residing in the United States.
“Six months ago, we issued a public notice urging repayments within 35 days with interest. Some responded; one individual repaid up to NPR 5.2 million. This newly issued notice could represent the second phase of enforcement,” said Prof. KC.
“We plan to publicly disclose the names of defaulters who fail to comply and notify their affiliated institutions,” he added.
According to coordinator Kafle, individuals who respond after the notice will receive facilitation, and a report will be submitted to the executive committee of Tribhuvan University.
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