July 3: Prime Minister and Chancellor of universities, Balendra Shah, appointed Vice Chancellors for seven universities including the Tribhuvan University.

The names were picked from among the name list recommended by the Universities Vice Chancellors Selection and Recommendation Committee.

Pro Dr Bhola Thapa has been appointed at TU, while Kishan Datta Bhatta at the Sudurpashim (Far West University) and Rajan Suwal for the Madhyapashim (Mid-West) University.

Similarly, Rhishi Ram Kattel has been picked for the  Agriculture and Forestry University, Shyam Narayan Labh at the Rajarshi Janak University, Devendra Adhikari at the Pokhara University and Sujan Babu Marhattha at the Purbanchal University.

Oath taken
Minister for Education and Sports and Universities' Pro Chancellor Sasmit Pokharel handed them appointments letters. The newly appointed vice chancellors took an office and secrecy before the Minister Friday itself.

The appointments were made through an open competition.

This is the first time the appointments of universities' vice chancellors were made through an integrated process as per the ‘Integrated Procedure for Selection and Recommendation of Vice Chancellors of Various Universities, 2083’. (RSS)

List of Universities and appointed Vice-Chancellor
1. Tribhuvan University (TU): Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa, former Vice-Chancellor, Kathmandu University
2. Pokhara University : Prof. Devendra Adhikari, TU professor, Mahendra Morang Campus; PhD in Physics, Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University
2. Purbanchal University : Prof. Sujan Babu Marahatta, professor, Nepal Open University; former Director, Medical Education Commission (MEC)
3. Far-Western University : Prof. Kishan Datta Bhatta, professor of Engineering; PhD in Urban Planning & Design, University of Hong Kong
4. Mid-West University : Prof. Rajan Suwal, TU associate professor, Civil Engineering Department, Pulchowk Campus (IOE)
5. Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU) : Prof. Rishi Ram Kattel, AFU professor; PhD in Agric
6. Rajarshi Janak University : Prof. Shyam Narayan Labh, TU professor of Zoology; PhD, University of Delhi (fish nutrition)