The dispute over property ownership between the Tribhuvan University (TU) and three new varsities is getting worse rather than resolving.

The refusal of TU to hand over its constituent colleges to Agriculture University, Mid-Western University and the Far Western University, all of which were established in 2010, has affected not only the studies but also expansion of the varsities.

As per the acts passed by the parliament on June 17, 2010, the TU is supposed to hand over Siddha Nath Campus and Siddha Nath Multiple Campus to Far-western University; Surkhet Campus (education), Birendra Multiple Campus and Public Science Campus to the Mid-West University.

Similarly, as per the Agriculture and Forest Act, 2010, the TU must hand over the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Chitwan and the Institute of Forestry Campus, Hetauda to the newly formed University of Agriculture and Forestry (UoAF).

But the TU officials say that the university being an autonomous body is entitled to exercise its own discretion and not bound by acts. “TU is regulated by the TU Act, 1992. No one can direct TU to hand over its constituent colleges,” said TU rector Gun Nidhi Neupane.

However, the TU has already deputed 360 of its staffers and teachers at UoAF and 140 at Mid-Western University. Vice Chancellor (VC) of Far-western University Jay Raj Awasthi said that the regional universities were established as per the peoples´ aspiration. "But the TU does not want them to function in full swing because of the fear that enrollment at its Kathmandu-based constituent and affiliated colleges might go down if the students have options at the local level," Awasthi said.

VC of the Mid-Western University Padam Prasad Devkota said that other varsities willingness and ability to implement academic calendar and conduct timely examinations would ultimately shift students´ interest towards them, which is a cause of worry for the TU.

“The land where Birendra Multiple Campus and Public Science Campus exist today was donated by the locals,” claimed Devkota, "The same public wants us to run classes there.”

The situation is more pathetic in UoAF where a dispute over the use of laboratory equipments has remained unresolved. The university raises cattle to involve students in practical sessions but the TU officials take away the livestock later. “The TU officials never ask us how much it costs to feed the livestock, yet they always come to claim the animals,” said Kailash Nath Pyakurel, the VC of UoAF.

Meanwhile, even a year has passed when the TU called its emergency senate to discuss the possibilities of handing over its properties to the new varsities. The TU senate on October 14 last year had formed a high-level taskforce to deal with the handover process. Baburam Bhattarai, during his premiership, had asked the 51-member senate to form a mechanism to pave the way for the handover of TU property.

As per the senate decision, the five-member taskforce, led by former TU vice-chancellor Kedar Bhakta Mathema, would recommend the TU what could be done to settle the hand over process without disturbing the relation and mutual understanding between the respective universities. Then education secretary Suresh Man Shrestha, the representative of TU staff association Kuber KC and Prof Ram Man Shrestha were also the members of the taskforce.

According to Mathema, the TU senate formed the taskforce but did not give the term of reference to begin the work. “The TU simply handed me an official letter to lead the committee but never showed interest to frame the plan,” said Mathema. He added that the taskforce several times urged the TU to cooperate but all in vain.

The frustrated varsities have now started pleading the Chancellor to scrap the universities if no progress can be ensured, said Awasthi. “The far-west university senate a month ago urged Chancellor Khil Raj Regmi to scrap the academy if the government can´t resolve the property dispute,” he added.

Apart from the property dispute, these universities are also deprived of the regular budget allocation by the University Grant Commission. According to Far-Western University´s VC Awasthi, the UGC had promised them to provide Rs 60 million in the fiscal year 2010/2011. However, the amount was allocated only in 2011/12. The university which currently runs 14 programs such as Mass Communication and Journalism, Rural Development, among others, is looking forward to bring programs on International Relation. Around 500 students are enrolled in the three universities.

Kedar Bhakta Mathema, a former VC of TU, said though the TU is an autonomous body, it is not above the parliament. If the university is opposed to the new acts that authorize the new varsities to use its properties, it should move the Supreme Court. If not, it should follow the new law.

source: republica,21 Sept 2013