Kathmandu: The three agitating professors’ unions that have indefinitely padlocked seven universities to protest ‘unilateral’ appointment of Vice-Chancellors demanded on Saturday that the present legal provision for the appointment of VCs be amended.

Nepal Democratic Professors’ Association (NDPA), Madheshi Democratic Professors’ Association (MDPA) and Nepal National Professors’ Organisation (NNPO) have padlocked the universities ever since the previous government led by Jhala Nath Khanal had ‘unilaterally’ appointed VCs on Aug 8.

According to the existing laws—Nepal Sanskrit University Act-1986, Tribhuvan University Act-1992 and Kathmandu University Act-1991, VCs of the universities are appointed by the prime minister following the recommendation of the three-member team led by education minister and co-chancellor.

The existing laws give the prime minister a freehand to appoint those close to him/her as VCs. Professor bodies are for amending the acts to pave the way for open competition. “The present provision of appointment should be replaced by open competition which will prevent the ruling parties from appointing their cadres in the posts,” said General Secretary of NNPO Chandra Mani Poudyal.

He also said that they have forwarded their demand to new Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and he is positive towards it. The unions have been demanding that at least three newly appointed VCs be recalled and new names through consensus be selected.

“As the new universities have no resources and cannot operate if the government does not cooperate, VCs of those varsities have no option than resigning from the post,” said NDPA Chairman Guna Nidhi Neupane. He also said that as PM Bhattarai is sensitive towards the present confrontation, a wayout is likely once Cabinet is expended.

source: The Kathmandu Post