Prime Minister Sushila Karki has stated that all parties must make an effort to transform universities into venues for academic discourse.
Addressing the 51st Convocation of Tribhuvan University (TU) at Dasharath Stadium on Thursday, PM Karki, who also serves as the Chancellor of the University, emphasized that freeing academic institutions from politics is essential for Nepal’s development.
"The aspiration for change in the country's higher education sector is natural, and it is essential to free it from partisan politics," Prime Minister Karki said. "Recognizing that political interference in educational administration has continuously hampered Nepal's higher education sector, we have realized the need to revise the provision where the Prime Minister serves as the University Chancellor. Serious consultations and groundwork are currently underway regarding this matter."
Chancellor Karki stated that the university stands at a very important turning point and has provided formal completion to an academic journey. She remarked that convocation is not a destination in itself, but rather the beginning of a new journey to utilise the knowledge gained in classrooms or research labs for human development.
"We will have to face challenges related to rapid technological changes, job competition, climate change, social inequality, ethical dilemmas, and global uncertainty. I am confident that you, the graduates of Tribhuvan University, will be capable of making meaningful contributions to human development and global brotherhood while facing such challenges," Prime Minister Karki said. "However, large structures and size alone do not ensure quality and international-standard education. Professors, students, and management should become more active in maintaining a proper teacher-student ratio and publishing high-quality research materials."
At a time when a large portion of Nepali students are going abroad for higher education, Karki urged stakeholders to pay sufficient attention to maintaining excellence in educational quality and adding timely, new, and practical educational programs.
