KATHMANDU: The majority of applications received for the appointment of Vice-Chancellors across eight universities have been approved, while a few have been rejected during the preliminary screening.

According to the Ministry of Education and Sports, out of a total of 218 applications, 189 have been deemed qualified and accepted. The remaining 29 applications were disqualified for failing to meet the required criteria.

As per the details made public by the ministry, 50 applications were submitted for Tribhuvan University, 38 each for Purbanchal University and Pokhara University, 19 for Far-Western University, 20 for Mid-West University, 11 for Lumbini Buddhist University, 15 for Agriculture and Forestry University, and 27 for Rajarshi Janak University.

The ministry stated that a shortlist will now be prepared and published from among the 189 approved candidates in the next phase of the selection process.

The new selection process was initiated to fill the vacant posts after vice-chancellors of the universities were removed through an ordinance earlier.