Kathmandu, Aug 8: A two-day “Policy Lab on University Faculty Recruitment, Development, and Promotion” organized by the Ministry of Education and Sports ended on Saturday with the conclusion that a transparent, inclusive and result-oriented system should be developed for the quality growth of the country’s higher education.
On the occasion, the speakers viewed that universities should review their policies and laws as per the changing times and context.
The experts stated that universities should embrace policies to promote research, innovation, interdisciplinary cooperation and social responsibilities.
In his concluding remarks of the first session, Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel said that exchanges of best practices among the universities were needed, and viewed that a student-friendly academic environment should be created and university management should be technology-friendly.
Likewise, Shailendra Jha, the Chief Advisor to the Minister for Education said the policy lab has helped maintain uniformity in policymaking and academic quality enhancement of the universities.
Also speaking at the event, Member of the National Planning Commission Reshu Aryal Dhungana said that university office bearers and policymakers should gather at a place to discuss the national strategy for higher education. She viewed that all sides should pay attention to creating a conducive environment to retain youths in the country.
Similarly, Member of the National Planning Commission Prof Dr Sudan Jha stressed the need for the implementation of an academic calendar along with the quality growth of the universities.
Likewise, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof Dr Khadga Bahadur KC said all sides should be responsible for maintaining academic excellence based on the universities’ established norms.
Chairman of the Tribhuvan University Service Commission Kishor Thapa said cooperation among the ministry and universities was imperative for policy reforms and quality enhancement of higher education.
Prof Shyam Sharma of Stony Brook University in the US was the key facilitator of the “Policy Lab on University Faculty Recruitment, Development, and Promotion.”
Vice-chancellors of different universities, educationists, policymakers and experts attended the event.