KATHMANDU, March 3: The Kathmandu University Professors' Association (KUPA) has launched a protest to exert pressure on the Vice-Chancellor Search and Recommendation Committee to make a recommendation at the earliest.
Earlier, a three-day ultimatum was given for the Search Committee to recommend the names. As the recommendation was not made within the given period, the KUPA announced the protest. KUPA President Dr Bikas Adhikari and General Secretary Tejeshman Shakya issued a statement declaring the first phase of the protest, which includes a seven-day peaceful pressure campaign.
If the selection committee fails to finalize the Vice-Chancellor selection process within seven days, the KUPA urges the Chancellor (Prime Minister) and Pro-Chancellor (Education Minister) to take immediate action and make an appropriate decision. The KUPA has warned of launching a new phase of protest if the Vice-Chancellor is not appointed on time.
Despite completing the selection process, the recommendation committee has failed to finalize a name. On February 14 and 15, the committee interviewed and assessed 10 shortlisted candidates out of 20 applicants for the Vice-Chancellor position. Disagreement among committee members on the selection is said to have caused the delay.