By Manjima Dhakal

Kathmandu, Feb. 17: The government has been planning to establish Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology in an organisational structure different from other existing universities of the country.
The upcoming university will have patrons in the place of senate to operate the university. The patrons will be the apex body of the university which will have academic, economic and administrative rights. The patrons will be formed with the inclusion of different reputed personalities of education and science and technology sector, a proposed bill regarding the establishment of Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology read.
As per the bill, about 16 members will be appointed from different sectors of education, science and technology including first class officer of the Ministry of Education Science and Technology (MOEST), representative from University Grants Commission, reputed personalities from world class universities, Madan Bhandari Foundation chairperson and member.
Likewise, the university will have chairperson and vice-chairperson in the place of chancellor and vice-chancellor and other officials in other universities now. The draft of the bill is in discussion at Education and Health Committee under the parliament.
In the structure of the university, there will be patrons, academic councils and executive councils and other bodies as required, the bill states. The government aimed to establish the university with a focus to give priority to science and technology. However, the university is expected to produce world level manpower of humanities and social sciences, management, law and justice.
The university may not have the right to give affiliation to others. The university will be established in Chitlang, Makawanpur. The government has allocated 740 ropanis of land for the establishment of the university.
From Sunday, the parliament committee has started clause-wise discussion regarding the proposed bill of the university.
Speaking at the discussion, Sarita Neupane said from the ongoing trends, it appears that no institution can be established without Prime Minister, Minister, and secretary. Therefore, the university has to be developed as a model without their participation to examine its success and failure.
Anjana Bishankhe, another member of the committee, said it was necessary to connect science and technology with social science to develop civilized and moral society along with science and technology.
Khagraj Adhikari, acting president of the committee, said the university will not be world class only by changing its structure. He further said the bill needed to redefine some words which he said are vague.
Responding the queries regarding the bill, Minister for Education, Science and Technology (MOEST), Giriraj Mani Pokharel said the government would regard the suggestions and recommendations made by the committee.
He further said that the government was willing to establish the university with a target to produce human resource that is capable to lead the country on the path of development and prosperity. Therefore, the university will be established differently from the existing universities of the country.