With the government’s failure to appoint Vice-chancellors (VC) in the seven universities, the Tribhuvan University’s (TU) anniversary celebrations this year will just be a formality.

The lack of the executive head in the TU, the oldest university in the country, has been affecting the administrative and institutional work, while this void will be seen clear in the 52nd anniversary celebtarions on July 9.

As per the universisty provisions, a meeting of the Senate is necessary before the celebrations. However, as there is no VC, the Senate meet will not be held this year. Only the executive chief has the authority to call such a meet. A meeting of the executive council is also due. Though Rector Surya Lal Amatya is currently looking after the TU affairs, he does not have executive powers. “The prime minister has not given me the executive powers,” Amatya said. As the Chancellor of the university, the prime minister can delegate powers to the Rector in the absence of the VC.

As the yearly budget of the university is prepared and approved by the Senate, this year’s budget is sure to see a delay. “This year’s budget is sure to be delayed,” Amatya said.

The formation of the yearly academic calendar will also be affected without the Senate meeting.

Despite frequent assurances, Education Minister Ganga Lal Tuladhar has failed to recommend names for the VCs in the seven universities. The posts of the executive chiefs in the TU, Purbanchal University, Sanskrit University and Pokhara University have been lying vacant for the past two months.

source: Ghimire, Binod(2011),"Sans VC, it’s trouble ahead for TU", The Kathmandu Post, 4 July 2011