Comprehensive Higher Education Reforms
The Ministry of Education and Sports convened a high-level meeting with officials from Tribhuvan University (TU) on Thursday at Singha Durbar to outline key initiatives for improving Nepal's higher education system. Discussions focused on enhancing academic rigor, streamlining examination processes, promoting research initiatives, and reinforcing the university's institutional identity.
During the consultation, stakeholders emphasized setting student enrollment quotas based on institutional capacity and establishing strict, quality-driven guidelines for granting college affiliations and introducing new academic programs. Curricula revisions are currently underway alongside policy adjustments to facilitate a wider rollout of the semester system across university programs.
Semester Transition, E-Attendance, and Affiliation Standards
Advisor to the Education Minister, Shailendra Jha, highlighted the necessity of adopting electronic attendance (e-attendance) to boost academic discipline and institutional effectiveness. He urged that future program affiliations prioritize educational quality and essential infrastructure—such as well-equipped laboratories, comprehensive libraries, and sustainable facilities—rather than simple numerical expansion. Jha also stressed the importance of organizing a strict academic calendar and shifting to a semester system to transform campuses into true centers of excellence.
Land Recovery and Institutional Commitment
Addressing university assets, Joint Secretary Shriprasad Bhattarai noted that further investigation is required to compile a complete, accurate record of TU’s land holdings. He assured full Ministry coordination and support for managing university assets and implementing academic programs effectively. Meanwhile, TU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa reiterated the university's commitment to building TU into a center of excellence, pledging to work closely with the Ministry on a detailed action plan for national higher education reform.
The meeting was attended by TU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa, Education Minister Advisor Shailendra Jha, Dean of the Institute of Education Prof. Dr. Anjana Singh, Registrar Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rabindra Shivakoti, Ministry Joint Secretaries Jayaram Adhikari and Shriprasad Bhattarai, along with various TU deans.
