Prof. Dr. Kesharjung Baral, who was appointed as the Vice Chancellor of Tribhuvan University for a four-year term, has resigned after just 13 months.
Among the three names submitted by the Vice Chancellor Selection and Recommendation Committee, Baral was in the second position. He was appointed as Vice Chancellor by then-Prime Minister and University Chancellor Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Falgun 10, 2080.
According to Tribhuvan University sources, Baral submitted his resignation letter addressed to the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the University.
After informing a university official about his resignation, Baral turned off both of his mobile phones.
According to TU officials, the main reason behind the Vice Chancellor’s resignation is the ongoing issue involving temporary and contract-based teachers and staff.
In recent times, the management of temporary and contract staff at Tribhuvan University has become increasingly difficult. These staff members had been demanding permanent positions through internal competition.
Due to continuous protests by the teachers and staff, the university assembly during the tenure of former Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Dharmakanta Baskota had decided to call for applications for internal competition by the end of Chaitra 2071. Teachers and staff have since demanded the implementation of this decision.
Meanwhile, a case was filed in the Supreme Court against the assembly's decision. However, after the Supreme Court ruled that permanent appointments could not be made through internal competition, university officials stepped back from the plan.
Registrar of Tribhuvan University, Prof. Dr. Kedar Rijal, stated, “We cannot conduct internal competition for teachers and staff against the court's order.”
To push for their demands, temporary and contract teachers and staff have announced a protest starting Sunday.
According to Tribhuvan University sources, if the Vice Chancellor's resignation is accepted, other university officials are also considering stepping down.
