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Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the Tribhuvan University should be restructured and its curriculum should be revised in time to provide opportunities for higher education in the country.

In the Senate Meeting of the university held today, PM Oli emphasized that studies and teaching should be made research-oriented and technology-friendly according to the demands of the time.

He said that it is now necessary to publish the results of the examinations conducted by the service commission in the university, to fill the lack of manpower by advertising for new recruitment in the vacant posts of teaching staff, to provide capacity building and research opportunities to the manpower who have entered the university service and retain them in the service.

"It is also important to review how much work has been done on these matters. If the speed of reform is slow, then I request everyone to take initiative from their respective places to speed it up," Prime Minister Oli said, adding, "I am closely monitoring various aspects of the academic and administrative works of the university. I used to get information about the activities of the university through various means. What are the problems in the universities, how did they arise and holding consultation with the officials of the university and interested parties to solve them."

Prime Minister Oli expressed his belief that the necessary homework on long-term importance of the university will be done soon by holding another Senate meeting. The Prime Minister's announcement to hold another meeting soon to discuss policy matters was taken positively by the student representatives of the Assembly.

In response to the question raised by the members in the Senate meeting regarding arrears, Prime Minister Oli expressed his belief that since the arrears could not be reduced since the past, after an audit was conducted, it was found that the arrears amount was Rs 28 billion. He said that there will be a discussion in the Parliament about the laws that should be made regarding the complications seen in it. Prime Minister Oli clarified that the funds received from the government will be distributed to universities by the University Grants Commission, so there will be no reduction in the amount currently set for research.

The Prime Minister instructed that decisions should be made in the university based on inclusiveness and participation. Prime Minister Oli asked to work carefully in determining the dignity of the professors and constructing the campus buildings damaged by the earthquake. He said that the legal system where the chancellor of the university is the prime minister would be appropriate, but if the assembly decides not to keep it, that would be acceptable to him.

 The Senate meeting held in the presence of the Minister for Education, Science and Technology and also the Vice-Chancellor of the University Bidya Bhattarai has given permission for degrees to 73 thousand nine hundred and 95 students included in the 62nd grace list from various faculties presented for the decisions. 

The meeting has also approved the program and the budget of the university for the current fiscal year.

US Ambassador to Nepal, Dean R. Thompson paid a courtesy call on Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, at the latter’s office in Singha Durbar today.

On the occasion, Minister Bhandari said that Nepal and the US have common views on topics like democracy, human rights, sovereign equality, stating the US was the first country providing foreign assistance to Nepal.

"I express high appreciation to the American government for extending cooperation for the economic-social development and strengthening the democratic institutions of Nepal. The development cooperation received from the United States of America has made an important contribution to various sectors including education, health, transport, communication, agriculture and environment among others," he said.

Noting that the US is the second biggest destination country for export of Nepali goods, the industry minister said it was an important country also in terms of the number of tourists visiting the country.

"Nepal and the USA entered into the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in 2011 and this Ministry has been leading the country in the meetings of the TIFA Council under this agreement, representing the Government of Nepal," he added.

The Sixth Meeting of the Council was held in Kathmandu on May 19, 2023. The minister stated the meeting held discussions on various topics of bilateral trade and investment promotion. The minister expressed that the Seventh Meeting of TIFA Council will take place in the USA in the near future.

Referring to the facility provided by the US government for customs-free entry in the US market to 77 types of goods manufactured in Nepal until the end of 2025 through Nepal Trade Priority Program for supporting Nepal for its post-earthquake economic revival, Minister Bhandari said, "I highly commend this facility that the American government provided to Nepal during the then time of distress."

Stating that trade and competitive programs are now in implementation with the support of USAID and collaboration of Nepal's private sector, financial sector and concerned ministries, he expressed the belief that such program would help in professional capacity building of micro, small and middle-scale entrepreneurs as well as to export Nepali products in USA and European market.

Minister Bhandari mentioned that Nepal has received direct foreign investment from the US in different sectors including communication and Information Technology, energy and agriculture, adding the government made attempts to create a more investment-friendly environment amending seven different laws in the eve of recently held investment summit.

The industry minister expected more investment in hydropower, energy, tourism, information technology from the US government.

Similarly, the US Ambassador said the collaboration between US and Nepal would be continued in different sectors including health, education, transport, communication, agriculture and environment.

Explaining that programs of USAID, which was said to be discontinued in past, would be continued, he mentioned that the meeting of Trade and Investment Framework Agreement between the government of Nepal and the government of the United States of America entered into force in 2011 would be held in Nepal on coming September 16 and 17. 

He also assured of taking efforts to expand the deadline as the deadline of the facility exporting 77 different products of Nepal in the US market has remained till the end of 2025.

Pakistani Ambassador to Nepal Abrar H. Hashmi paid a courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba on Monday.

During the meeting, various matters relating to Nepal-Pakistan relations and cooperation were discussed. 

Nepal and Pakistan have had an excellent relationship since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1960.

There is a close collaboration in the areas of economic collaboration, trade and investment, tourism and in the areas of education and culture. 

Bagmati Province Chief Minister Bahadur Singh Lama is seeking a vote of confidence today.

The meeting of the Bagmati Province Assembly is scheduled to begin at 3 pm, according to Purna Bahadur Darji, secretary at Province Assembly secretariat.

CM Lama is undergoing a floor test as per constitutional mandate of securing confidence vote within 30 days of appointment.

Nepali Congress leader Lama was appointed CM on July 23. He is now seeking a vote of confidence as per Article 168 (4) of the constitution of Nepal, and Rule 143 (1) of Province Assembly Regulation, 2074.

The Nepali Congress has 37 members, while ruling partner CPN-UML 27, and CPN (Moist Center) 21, RPP 13, CPN (Unified Socialist) seven and Nepal Workers and Peasants' Party (NWPP) three, and Hamro Nepali Party two.

NC leader Bahadur Sing Lama was appointed as the Chief Minister following the agreement between NC and UML for the coalition government.