Tribhuvan University Cancels Admission of Students Enrolled Outside Merit List at Shanker Dev Campus
Tribhuvan University has announced the admission of 57 students who were enrolled outside the merit list for the BBA, BBA Finance, and BIM programs at Shanker Dev Campus. This decision came after merit-listed students filed complaints to various university bodies, including the Vice-Chancellor's Office, alleging admission irregularities.
An investigation by Tribhuvan University's Monitoring Directorate confirmed that admissions were conducted in violation of the merit list. Following the findings, the university directed the campus to cancel the admissions, which has now been implemented, according to Acting Campus Chief Jogindra Goit. He stated, “The fourth merit list was published on Sunday to ensure merit-based admissions, continuing from the second and third lists.”
At Shanker Dev Campus, 99 students can be admitted to BBA, while BBA Finance and BIM each have a quota of 66 students. However, the investigation revealed irregularities in the first merit list. The campus administration allegedly manipulated the admissions process by releasing only as many names as the available seats in the first list. “If seats remained vacant after the first round, another merit list should have been published,” a professor remarked. “Instead, the vacant seats were arbitrarily filled by students outside the merit list.”
The Monitoring Directorate’s investigation, led by Director Pushkar Raikhal, concluded that 18 students in BBA, 27 in BBA Finance, and 12 in BIM were enrolled outside the merit list. Based on the committee's recommendations, the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Management instructed the campus to cancel these admissions and re-enroll students according to the merit list, as confirmed by Dean Dilliram Sharma.
Acting Campus Chief Goit stated that fees paid by students enrolled outside the merit list would be refunded. The total fee for these programs is NPR 435,000, and students had paid the first installment during their admission. “We have called these students to claim their refunded fees,” Goit added.
The investigation also uncovered allegations of undue influence from faculty members, staff, and student leaders from various organizations, including the Free Student Union, Nepal Student Union, ANNFSU, and ANNISU Revolutionary. “Such irregularities have also occurred in the past,” a professor commented, “but this time, complaints filed directly with the university led to the exposure of these practices.”
The investigation highlighted claims that additional fees were collected from students enrolled outside the merit list. However, the committee has remained silent on penalizing those involved in the misconduct, which has drawn criticism from campus faculty. They allege that neither the investigation committee, the Dean’s Office, the university, nor the campus administration has taken adequate steps to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Following the public revelation of the irregularities, Campus Chief Krishna Prasad Acharya resigned from his position. Tribhuvan University has accepted his resignation and appointed Goit as the acting campus chief. Registrar Kedar Prasad Rijal stated that the process of appointing a permanent campus chief is underway.
Tribhuvan University conducts a Centralized Management Admission Test (CMAT) for most management programs. Admissions are strictly based on merit, and the merit list is prepared by evaluating CMAT scores, Grade 12 marks, and interview results.
Key Takeaways:
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Tribhuvan University canceled 57 admissions at Shanker Dev Campus for violating the merit-based system.
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Irregularities were found in BBA, BBA Finance, and BIM admissions.
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Complaints from merit-listed students led to an investigation.
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The probe revealed 18 BBA, 27 BBA Finance, and 12 BIM students enrolled outside the merit list.
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A fourth merit list was published to ensure fair admissions.
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Removed students will get their fees refunded, totaling NPR 435,000 per program.
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Allegations of extra fees taken from these students remain unaddressed.
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Campus Chief Krishna Prasad Acharya resigned after the scandal.
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Management admissions rely on CMAT scores, Grade 12 marks, and interviews.
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Faculty criticized the lack of accountability for the malpractice.
