TU Convocation Ceremony: PM Karki for making University an academic space

Kathmandu, Dec 25: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has insisted that all parties should strive to make the university a forum for academic debate.

Addressing the Tribhuvan University's 51st convocation ceremony at Dasharath Stadium here today, Prime Minister Karki, who is also the University Chancellor, emphasised the need to increase investment in education for the country's development.

"Since the aspiration for change in the country's higher education sector is natural, it is necessary to free it from partisan politics," PM Karki said.

Noting that the need to amend the provision of the Prime Minister serving as the Chancellor of universities has been felt with the understanding that partisan interference in educational administration has continuously affected Nepal's higher education sector, she said serious consultations and groundwork are underway on this matter.

Chancellor Karki stated that the university education is a very crucial point in one's life and the graduates have formally completed an academic journey, adding that the graduation itself is not the destination; it is the beginning of a new journey to utilise the knowledge gained in classrooms or laboratories for human development.

"We will have to face challenges related to rapid technological change, competition for jobs, climate change, social inequality, moral dilemmas, and global uncertainty. I am confident that those graduated from Tribhuvan University will be able to meaningfully contribute towards human development and global fraternity by facing such challenges, Prime Minister Karki said. 

She stated that but merely having a large structure and size does not ensure quality and international-level education, and maintaining the correct ratio of professors to students was equally important. "I see the need for all parties—professors, students, and management—to be more active in providing quality education and publishing high-quality research materials,” PM and Chancellor Karki emphasized.

She urged that sufficient attention should be given by the concerned authorities to adding new and practical educational programmes in a timely manner while maintaining excellence in educational quality, as a large proportion of Nepali students is going abroad for higher education.  (RSS)