KATHMANDU: Minister for Education and Sports and University Pro-Chancellor, Sasmit Pokharel, administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed Vice-Chancellors of various universities during a ceremony held at the ministry today.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister and University Chancellor Balendra Shah (Balen) appointed the Vice-Chancellors for seven different universities.

Chancellor Shah made the appointments from among the candidates recommended by the University Vice-Chancellor Selection and Recommendation Committee.

Minister Pokharel administered the oath to Bhola Thapa as Vice-Chancellor of Tribhuvan University, Kisandatta Bhatta of Far-Western University, Rajan Suwal of Mid-Western University, Rishiram Kattel of Agriculture and Forestry University, Shyam Narayan Labh of Rajarshi Janak University, Devendra Adhikari of Pokhara University, and Sujan Babu Marahatta of Purbanchal University.

Addressing the ceremony, Minister Pokharel instructed the newly appointed leaders to operate the universities in a fair, independent, professional, and transparent manner.

Furthermore, Minister Pokharel issued directives to strictly implement a mandatory and transparent 10% scholarship scheme across all universities and applicable constituent campuses, and ordered the removal of political trade union banners from university and campus premises.

Kiran Raj Sharma, Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, expressed confidence that the newly appointed Vice-Chancellors will play a pivotal role in the holistic reform of the education sector.

Following the ceremony, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellors committed to working fearlessly and with integrity to uphold the prestige and dignity of their respective institutions.

They noted that the government’s decision to select Vice-Chancellors through an open, competitive process has greatly boosted their morale, and they pledged to deliver on their commitments.

The recommendation committee, which selected the candidates utilizing an expert-led sub-committee, had been formed under the chairmanship of Education Minister and Pro-Chancellor Pokharel.