The deans and associate deans of seven schools at Kathmandu University have urged the selection committee to recommend candidates for the position of vice-chancellor based on merit.
In a joint statement, they called for the selection process to adhere strictly to the established procedure.
The selection committee includes KU’s founding Vice-chancellor Suresh Raj Sharma as chair, with Arjun Karki and former secretary Janardan Nepal as members. Interviews for the ten shortlisted candidates were completed on Feb 14 and 15, but no recommendation has been made due to disagreements among committee members.
The deans and associate deans have raised concerns over alleged attempts to manipulate the scores of shortlisted candidates. “There are claims that candidate scores are being altered and new conditions are being introduced, making it difficult for committee members to reach a consensus. We hope that the committee will refute such claims by recommending three names based on the approved process and criteria as soon as possible,” the statement read.
The selection committee was formed after Vice-chancellor Bhola Thapa’s tenure ended on Jan 20. However, disagreements among the three committee members have delayed the recommendation process.
The shortlisted candidates for the vice-chancellorship are Achyut Wagle, Kanhaiya Jha, Janardan Lamichhane, Bal Chandra Luitel, Bibhuti Ranjan Jha, Bedmani Dahal, Bhola Thapa, Rajendra Prasad Koju, Shyam Narayan Labh, Bim Prasad Shrestha, Dhiraj Giri and Subodh Sharma.
Meanwhile, eight candidates for the position of university vice-chancellor have appealed to Chancellor and Prime Minister KP Oli for a merit-based selection.
Though formed two-and-a-half months ago, the selection committee has not yet recommended any names. Consequently, Vice-chancellor candidates Bal Chandra Luintel, Hari Prasad Neupane, Kanhaiya Jha, Bibhuti Ranjan Jha, Bedmani Dahal, Shyam Narayan Labh, Bim Prasad Shrestha and Dhiraj Giri have turned to Prime Minister and university Chancellor Oli for intervention.
Even though two weeks have passed since the completion of all selection procedures, the committee members have yet to arrive at a consensus. “The Vice-chancellor Search and Recommendation Committee has completed all the selection processes as per its own procedures, yet the university remains without a vice-chancellor. Meanwhile, the coordinator of the committee has given two interviews expressing contradictory views. These interviews have highlighted several underlying issues,” states the letter addressed to Prime Minister Oli.
The letter further states, “Professors who have dedicated years of service to the university and held key positions are now uncertain about what language to use to correct the coordinator’s perspective, as he seems to believe only his preferred candidate will serve the university’s best interests.”
The candidates have urged the Prime Minister to facilitate the recommendation process as per established procedures. “The committee’s own plan and directive were to recommend three candidates with the highest scores to the Chancellor. However, after the selection criteria were established and certain candidates did not even rank third, the coordinator’s attempts to manipulate the process and push for certain recommendations are inappropriate,” the letter states.
The Vice-chancellor candidates have requested the Prime Minister to expedite the process. “The coordinator must be reminded to follow the procedures and criteria set by his own committee. Since he has also sought the Chancellor’s role in facilitating the recommendation process through the media, we request necessary support to ensure a swift conclusion of the selection process,” the letter concludes.
