Kathmandu: Tribhuvan University (TU) is set to introduce a series of significant policy proposals at its General Assembly on December 12, 2024. The policies aim to enhance academic quality, streamline administrative structures, and address social issues within the university. Key highlights include:

• Revised Eligibility for Teaching Services
• Minimum qualifications for university teaching positions will be reviewed.
  A new Tribhuvan University Eligibility Test (TUET) will be introduced, requiring prospective faculty members to pass this test before being eligible to teach at TU’s constituent and affiliated campuses.
  This arrangement will remain until the University Grants Commission (UGC) introduces a National Eligibility Test (NET), which would replace the TUET.
  Student Assistance Program
• A new regulation will be drafted to provide financial and employment support for economically disadvantaged students, allowing them to work within university structures.
  Workforce Planning and Outsourcing
• A comprehensive O&M (Organization and Management) study will be conducted to analyze workforce requirements, and office assistants will continue to be hired through outsourcing.
  Curriculum Development for Specialized Fields
• New undergraduate programs in Hotel Management will be developed in collaboration with Ayurveda Medicine, Liberal Arts, and the Hotel Association.
  Specialized educational programs focusing on Nepal’s unique mountain ecosystem, such as Mountain Engineering, Risk Management, Climbing, High Altitude Training, Sports, and Mountain Tourism, will be introduced.
  Non-Credit Courses
• Non-credit courses tailored to labor market demands will be developed and implemented.
  University Restructuring
• Amendments to existing laws and regulations will initiate the restructuring of the university.
  Recommendations from the National Education Commission will guide the restructuring process, including reorganizing central offices and departments.
  Integration of Research and Academic Units
• Central departments and schools will be restructured, and research centers will be merged into relevant schools to enhance coordination and efficiency.
  Campus Merger Policy
• Policies will promote mergers between private campuses and between community campuses.
  Campuses outside the Kathmandu Valley will not merge with those inside the Valley. However, campuses inside the Valley may merge with those outside, provided the resulting campus is located outside the Valley.
  Ph.D. Requirement for Kirtipur Faculty
• Faculty members appointed to Kirtipur-based campuses must hold a Ph.D. degree.
  Policy Updates for Oversight and Development
• Rules governing monitoring directorates, curriculum development centers, and research directorates will be updated to align with current needs.
  Social Media and Gender Policy
  Policies addressing the use of social media and tackling gender-based violence will be developed.
  These proposed policies underscore TU’s commitment to improving educational standards, fostering innovation, and promoting inclusivity within Nepal’s largest university system.