TU plans to offer online classes to migrant students

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Nov. 27: Tribhuvan University has initiated online study and examination opportunities for Nepali youths working in labour destination countries, aiming to provide them with access to quality higher education. 

This programme is expected to be beneficial for young students who left their studies midway and went abroad for work. The new programme was introduced during the Tribhuvan University Policy and Programme–2082, which was approved by the TU Assembly on Wednesday.

According to Prof. Dr. Khadga KC, TU Rector, TU has initiated this new programme targeting youths who discontinued their studies and went abroad. For this programme, TU has collaborated with the Open and Distance Education Centre (ODEC), which has long been functioning as a part of TU. 

ODEC has been facilitating distance learning through online platforms. The Open and Distance Education Centre (ODEC, TU), established in 2015 by a decision of the Executive Council of Tribhuvan University, is a constituent and independent academic organization of TU.

Individuals in labour destination countries will be eligible to enroll in colleges that offer non-practical subjects. For their examinations, TU will coordinate with the Nepali Embassy in the respective countries to conduct physical examinations, as mentioned in the TU Policy and Programme–2028, released on Wednesday. According to Rector KC, TU will soon begin coordinating with embassies in the respective countries for this programme.

‘PM can’t carry the burden of university chancellor’

Meanwhile, Prime Minister and TU Chancellor Sushila Karki stated that the Prime Minister should no longer serve as the Chancellor of the University. 

Addressing the TU Assembly, she said that the Prime Minister should be removed from the position of the university’s Chancellor. She added that Education Minister Mahabir Pun is currently working on this plan.

“It is not right to make a political person the Chancellor. The Prime Minister should not carry the burden or responsibility of the Chancellor,” said the Prime Minister. 

Stating that only the University Assembly should appoint the Chancellor, she argued that the government should oversee the university but should not interfere in making policies, rules, and regulations. During the assembly, PM Karki also urged TU to generate multiple sources of income rather than depending on the government.

Likewise, Education Minister Mahabir Pun said that the report on land search of Tribhuvan University will be implemented. The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has begun an investigation based on a report regarding the unauthorized embezzlement of approximately 25 ropanis of land.

Addressing the TU Assembly, Minister Pun also said that the government will remove the provision that automatically appoints the Prime Minister as Chancellor of universities. 

Similarly, the government will improve the universities by implementing the report. He also urged TU to activate four different research centres, through which TU would be able to conduct several projects, he said.

Minister Pun further instructed TU to implement the academic calendar, emphasizing that doing so could engage many youths in research. He urged all stakeholders to end political power sharing. “Let’s remove political power sharing in the University jointly. Everything has gone wrong in the university because of political power sharing,” he said.