Are promises to depoliticise universities truly being fulfilled?

Nepal's government has appointed Vice Chancellors (VCs) at seven universities, including Kathmandu University, largely adhering to the non-transparent selection methods of previous administrations. This process follows a recent move in May where the government dismissed over 1,500 officials from public entities, aligning with the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party’s (RSP) pledge to reform and depoliticize educational institutions.

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the government appointed Vice Chancellors (VCs) at seven universities from among the names recommended by the Universities Vice Chancellors Selection and Recommendation Committee.

However, the Universities Vice Chancellors Selection and Recommendation Committee (UVCSRC) has not publicly disclosed the selection process or the merit scores of shortlisted candidates. The fact that the Education Minister chaired the selection committee has further fueled questions about the transparency and impartiality of the appointments. Compounding these concerns, some committee members reportedly lacked adequate academic qualifications and professional experience to evaluate candidates for university leadership.

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the government dismissed the existing VCs of those universities along with more than 1,500 officials from various public entities through the ordinance on special provisions relating to the removal of public officials.

Most appointed VCs are recognized academicians with prior leadership experience, yet some were reportedly aligned with specific political parties during their careers. This suggests the selection process may have prioritized political connections over merit. The low h-index scores of six of the eight appointed VCs, below 20, considered modest for university leaders, further support this view, as international standards often favor academics with high scholarly productivity and citation impact.

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Neither has the UVCSRC publicly disclosed the selection process details, nor has it made the merit scores of the shortlisted candidates available.

Evidence suggests potential government and ruling party influence, with a former RSP General Secretary stating that supporters would receive bonus points. The newly appointed VC at Tribhuvan University, Professor Bhola Thapa, indirectly hinted at political favoritism in a television interview, mentioning he awaited government direction for other leadership appointments. This pattern raises concerns about whether Nepal's universities are truly moving towards depoliticization or simply continuing established practices under a new administration.

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the fact that the Education Minister himself chaired the selection committee has raised questions regarding the transparency and perceived impartiality of the appointment process.