'TU deceived physics students'

KATHMANDU, May 22: The Institute of Science and Technology (IOST) at Tribhuvan University (TU) has deceived students of the Central Department of Physics by not retaking the exams in Quantum Mechanics despite assurances to cancel the exams in which questions were asked from outside the syllabus.TU recently published the results of the master's level exams for Semester I taken in January.

The Quantum Mechanics (I Phy 503) exam was held on January 13. Students boycotted the exam as the questions set were from the new syllabus although they had been taught the old syllabus. Because of the controversy, the exam started 30 minutes into scheduled time. Ashish Paudel, one of the affected students, said that they were deceived by the TU as they had been assured the exam would be held again. “TU claims it is ranked 251 out of the 300 best universities in Asia. But it has been shameless in ignoring our concerns,” he added. The controversial exam affected nearly 150 physics students from all campuses under TU.

The students lodged complaints at the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) and the National Vigilance Center (NVC), demanding investigations.IOST formed a three-member probe committee headed by Prof Sitaram Prasad Byahut and including Prof Mukunda Mani Aryal and Prof Jivan Jyoti Nakarmi as members.

However, the TU authorities published the results without heeding the recommendations of the probe committee or responding to the concerns expressed by the CIAA and NVC , according to sources and documents made available to Republica. The CIAA and NVC had sought clarifications from TU but to no avail.“This is sheer negligence and lack of fairness,” said the affected students. “Subject committee chair Prof Dr Binil Aryal, Prof Dr Narayan Prasad Adhikari, Prof Dr Ishwar Koirala, Prof Dr Rajendra Parajuli and Dr Binod Adhikari are responsible for setting out the question paper,” they said. “IOST Dean Ram Prasad Khatiwada and Assistant Dean Tej BC are responsible for such negligence,” they added.

When attempts were made to contact Dean Khatiwada, his cell phone was switched off. Assistant Dean BC said that he was unable to comment. “The case is being examined at a higher level. So I can't speak about it, sorry!,” he added.TU VC Prof Dr Tirtha Raj Khaniya said the issue should be referred to the TU rector. “I am not the right person to speak about it,” he said. Rector Prof Sudha Tripathi did not pick up the phone despite several attempts to reach him.