JUMLA, Dec 9: The senate meeting of Karnali Academy of Health Sciences (KAHS) has become uncertain as the chancellor and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has been ill for the past few weeks.
The senate meeting, which was scheduled for November 28, was cancelled, and is still uncertain as the chancellor Oli is recovering after undergoing an appendectomy.
According to Rajendra Raj Wagle, vice-chancellor at KAHS, the senate was cancelled as the prime minister was unwell. “The prime minister is recovering now. We will discuss with the prime minister to conduct the senate,” Wagle said, adding that the representatives of KAHS have been meeting the health minister to discuss about the date.
TU senate meeting postponed, next meeting undecided
According to KAHS Registrar Bishwaraj Kafle, there have been discussions to organize the meeting in December last week. Kafle further added that the date for the meeting is yet to be finalized. “The senate meeting will discuss the education system at KAHS. The meeting will discuss the issue of starting the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) course at KAHS,” he said, adding that all stakeholders are positive about starting the MBBS course at KAHS.
Kafle said that KAHS has been focusing on developing physical infrastructures to start the MBBS course. “A building for basic science is under-construction,” he said, adding that the curriculum has already been developed for the course.
There are a total of 50 lecturers at KAHS to conduct MBBS classes. After the senate meeting, all the preparation to conduct MBBS classes will be completed.
It is the priority of the government to conduct MBBS classes at KAHS. The number of patients is also increasing at KAHS, so it will also be easier for the institution to conduct MBBS classes.
Meanwhile, the post of rector of KAHS is vacant since July this year. The senate will also discuss this issue. The deans of KAHS have been handling the responsibilities of rector.
The vice-chancellor has to recommend a name to the health minister for appointment as the rector.
Earlier, the vice-chancellor Rajendra Raj Wagle had recommended the name of Dr Aarti Shah of National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), Dr Paras Pokharel and Dr Badri Prasad Badu of BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), for the post of rector. But, the recommendation didn't work after the health minister was changed.
According to vice-chancellor Wagle, the names will be recommended again. After the vice-chancellor recommends three names, the health minister appoints one of them as the rector. “The senate meeting will make an environment to conduct MBBS classes at KAHS,” Wagle said.
