Universities Operate from the Prime Minister’s Residence

Summary:
The article from Nagarik News highlights the ongoing issue where Nepal's universities hold their key meetings and budget approvals at the Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar, rather than on their own campuses.

Key points:

• The Prime Minister is the formal chancellor of all universities and institutions, but his busy schedule means university officials often have to go to Baluwatar to get their policies, programs, and budgets approved.
• In the recent fiscal year, nine universities and one institution have attended meetings at the Prime Minister's residence to get their budgets and plans passed.
• This practice is criticized by academics as undermining university autonomy and academic dignity. Experts say universities should be self-governing institutions where decisions are made internally.
• For example, Tribhuvan University, Nepal's oldest and most prestigious university, held its 14th meeting at Baluwatar, approving a budget of over NPR 2.8 billion. However, only a limited number of senate members were called, excluding student union leaders, which weakened the legitimacy of the meeting.
• Former university officials argue that the chancellor's role should be symbolic, offering guidance but not running university affairs from the Prime Minister’s office.
• They urge that universities should have autonomous governance with internal leadership managing meetings and decisions without government interference.
• Overall, the article suggests that this trend reflects growing political interference in academic institutions and calls for reform so that universities regain their independent status and hold meetings on campus.

In short: Nepalese universities are increasingly dependent on the Prime Minister’s office for administrative approvals, which experts say damages academic independence and university dignity. They recommend shifting back to autonomous governance within the universities themselves.

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