Prof. Deepak Aryal Appointed as New Vice Chancellor of Tribhuvan University

Prof. Deepak Aryal has been appointed as the 21st Vice Chancellor of Tribhuvan University (TU), Nepal’s largest and oldest university. Prime Minister and TU Chancellor KP Sharma Oli appointed Aryal, a professor of Climate Science, to the post on Wednesday. Aryal took the oath of office and assumed his duties in the presence of Chancellor Oli.

Prof. Aryal is the former Head of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology at TU. He holds a PhD in Meteorology from Tribhuvan University and a Master’s degree in Atmospheric Science from Nagoya University in Japan. He is also the son of renowned Nepali humorist and satirist Bhairav Aryal.

With Aryal’s appointment, TU has received a new leader after a three-month leadership vacuum. Former Vice Chancellor Kesharjung Baral had resigned on March 28, citing political interference and lack of support from Chancellor Oli. Following Baral’s resignation, Rector Khadga KC had been serving as the acting Vice Chancellor since April 14.

Now, with Aryal assuming the four-year term as Vice Chancellor, KC will return to his position as Rector. Prof. Dvibinanda Dhakal, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, has been assigned as the acting Rector.

Political Influence in the Appointment Process

The selection committee, chaired by Education Minister and Pro-Chancellor Raghuraj Pant, recommended three candidates on Monday—Prof. Deepak Aryal, Acting Vice Chancellor Khadga KC, and Prof. Vinil Aryal. All three are considered close to the ruling CPN-UML party.

In the past, under Education Ministers such as Ashok Rai, Sumana Shrestha, and Bidya Bhattarai, the government had introduced a merit-based system for appointing university leaders through open applications and evaluations. However, this time, political leaders have reverted to the traditional “pocket nomination” system, bypassing merit-based criteria, sparking criticism from education experts.

Twelve UML-affiliated professors had applied for the position of Vice Chancellor this time. Their applications were reportedly submitted under political influence and internal coordination, raising concerns about the politicization of academic leadership.

Although the Ministry of Education has a formal procedure for selecting and recommending Vice Chancellors—including evaluating research, teaching experience, publications, and vision documents—this process was ignored during this appointment.

University Senate Meetings Held at PM’s Residence

Prime Minister and Chancellor KP Sharma Oli has scheduled the annual meeting and Senate of Tribhuvan University at his official residence, Baluwatar. According to an official letter sent by Under-Secretary Bishnu Prasad Subedi from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Senate will convene on Thursday at Baluwatar.

Similarly, the Senate of Pokhara University was also held at Baluwatar on Wednesday.

Many former Vice Chancellors and professors have criticized PM Oli for delaying the Vice Chancellor appointment for three months, hosting university meetings at his residence, and conducting oath ceremonies at Baluwatar. Nevertheless, Oli has continued this practice, overseeing major university events and swearing-in ceremonies at his residence.

Previously, TU had scheduled its Senate meeting for last Sunday. The meeting was expected to pass the upcoming fiscal year’s budget and approve the graduation list (grace list) of around 90,000 students. However, the meeting was postponed upon PM Oli’s instruction. Traditionally, TU’s annual assembly is held on specific dates. This year’s meeting was rescheduled to Sunday due to Oli’s official trip to Spain. However, it was again delayed because the PM chose to inaugurate a bridge in Humla instead.

Pokhara University Approves NPR 1.54 Billion Budget

Pokhara University’s Senate has approved a budget of NPR 1.54 billion for the upcoming fiscal year along with its policies and programs.

Vice Chancellor Bedraj KC presented the policies and programs. The Senate also endorsed amendments to the University’s Teachers and Staff Regulations (2055 BS), Financial Regulations (2055 BS), and the Service Commission and Appeals Committee Regulations (2057 BS).