KATHMANDU, April 9: Nearly two weeks have passed since Tribhuvan University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Keshar Jung Baral tendered his resignation, but authorities have yet to decide on it.
Baral said he resigned due to health issues and his inability to address the university's ongoing problems.
Since resigning, Baral has stayed at his residence in Pokhara. He has insisted that he will return to Kathmandu only after the Prime Minister, also the Chancellor, approves his resignation. Meanwhile, the university remains stuck in uncertainty, unable to carry out essential functions without a vice chancellor.
"I haven't worked according to my vision since I was appointed Vice Chancellor," Baral told Republica. "Student and teacher unions have repeatedly obstructed my efforts, using various pretexts. I could not resolve issues like making contract staff permanent or converting part-time staff to contract roles. The university environment has not allowed me to function effectively, and my health has also declined. That's why I resigned."
He added, "Even after I submitted my resignation, the Chancellor and Prime Minister haven't contacted me."
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Prime Minister's Press Coordinator Prakash Silwal said officials have not verified Baral's resignation, nor has he remained in contact. As a result, the resignation has not reached the chancellor. Baral still has three years left in his four-year term.
After the vice chancellor stepped down, the university stalled its academic, administrative, and executive functions. In response, Registrar Prof Dr Kedar Prasad Rijal and Dean Khadga KC traveled to Pokhara, met Vice Chancellor Baral, and him to withdraw his resignation and return to the university.
"As long as no one approves the resignation, Prof. Dr. Baral remains our vice chancellor. In his absence, we haven't completed essential tasks like signing examination certificates, which has deprived students of many opportunities," Dean KC told Republica. "Without leadership, we haven't held executive council meetings or made academic decisions."
He added, "We asked the Vice Chancellor to return, but he refused. The university is in disarray. The Chancellor must intervene and offer a way forward."
Tribhuvan University, the oldest in the country, hosts the highest number of students, teachers, and staff. Political party-affiliated groups have openly practiced politics within the university, turning TU increasingly insecure and politically driven in recent years. Political forces have entrenched the problematic trend of appointing officials through power-sharing deals.
As a result, TU's teachers, students, and staff say political interference makes it difficult for any appointed official to work effectively. Over the years, teachers, staff, and students have repeatedly staged various forms of unrest to push their demands.
Tribhuvan University currently struggles to resolve issues related to part-time and contract teachers. Additionally, the delay in the opening of the Public Service Commission has caused similar problems with the career development and pensions of teachers and staff. These issues are not new. Furthermore, teachers, staff, and students, often backed by political groups, have repeatedly caused unrest, creating a climate of fear within the university. Recently, TU teachers have concluded that the threats and warnings from contract staff led to Vice Chancellor Baral's resignation.
Nearly three hundred contract teachers at TU have been pressuring Vice Chancellor Baral to make them permanent through an internal process, while part-time teachers have been warned of protests to demand contract appointments.
Teachers hired under contract provisions are still staging a relay hunger strike in front of Vice Chancellor Baral's office. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has directed Tribhuvan University not to carry out the internal special process.
Contract teachers pressured the Vice Chancellor to open the special internal process by March 30, warning of strong protests if he failed to comply. Unable to withstand the pressure, the Vice Chancellor resigned on March 27.
On February 22, 2024, then Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal appointed Baral as Vice Chancellor. However, Baral resigned within just 13 months due to health reasons. "I couldn't work as I had envisioned at Tribhuvan University. The situation is difficult," Vice Chancellor Baral told Republica. "I will discuss more about it once I return to Kathmandu."
