TU to recover misused study leave funds from 187 staff

KATHMANDU, June 13: Tribhuvan University (TU) has begun preparations to recover study leave funds, along with interest, from 187 teaching and non-teaching staff who failed to return after availing paid study leave.

TU has provided paid study leave since 1980 (2037 BS) to permanent faculty and staff for capacity development. However, misuse of this provision has come to light. Following irregularities, the university formed a three-member investigation committee led by Associate Professor Dr Jeevan Kafle on February 21 to collect data on those who took study leave but never returned.

After three months of research across TU’s 40 departments and 62 constituent campuses, the committee submitted its report on Friday to Vice-Chancellor Dr. Khadga KC, Rector Dr Dubi Nanda Dhakal, and Registrar Dr Kedar Rijal.

According to the report, 187 individuals took the five-year paid leave for study abroad and never returned to TU. Additionally, 213 staff members failed to submit completion certificates for their study leave.

"Since 2037 BS, TU has aimed to support staff’s professional growth and institutional quality through paid leave," Dr Kafle said, “But from our data, 187 didn’t return after leave, despite legal provisions mandating a return to work. Another 213 returned but without academic proof of completion.”

The report also recommends disciplinary action against those who misused the leave and failed to fulfill obligations.

Vice-Chancellor Dr KC has committed to fully implementing the report's recommendations. He said that TU spends around Rs 4.5 million per employee over the five-year period. “As per TU Act, those who don’t return or submit degrees will face action, and we will recover the funds with interest,” he told Republica, “Now that we have official data, the same committee will verify and investigate further.”

Emphasizing accountability, he said, “Since taxpayers fund these benefits, TU must ensure the public’s money is not wasted.”

Committee secretary and TU Coordination Division Chief Deepak Tiwari, along with member Krishna Hari Acharya, were also part of the probe. Tiwari highlighted a trend of staff settling abroad after receiving study leave. “They used the five-year window to move abroad with their families and never return,” Tiwari said, “This undermined TU’s core aim- academic quality through returned expertise. Instead, personal growth came at the institution’s expense.”

He said, “When scholars stay abroad, TU loses its investment. Hence, the report calls for strict action.”