KU in Media (26 May 2006)

Nepotism in KU
(Source: http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=74722)

What Ghanshyam Bhatt reported on his letter to the editor dated May 24 is only the tip of the iceberg. If the government starts a through investigation into the affairs of Kathmandu University, I am sure that it would bring to light not only unhealthy practices but also the academic rot set in the education sector.
The recent felicitation received by Dr Suresh Raj Sharma reads that he lives for the sake of others. But the ground realities show that he has never desisted from accruing undue benefits. Though Dr Sharma claims that he was forced to give affiliations to five medical colleges without having his own medical college, he should not deny that he too had some vested interests in those affiliations. His collaboration with Dr Ram Kantha Shrestha, a relative of Bel Prasad Shrestha who was appointed to initiate Dhulikhel Medical Institute (DMI) clearly shows that Dr Sharma is hell bent in commercializing even the basic technical education sector.

Moreover, the manner in which Dr Sharma appointed the daughter of Pashupati Bhakta Maharjan as the Assistant professor in KU too clearly highlights that Dr Sharma flouted the university code and conduct.

With Kathmandu University, public hoped that there would be another university providing quality education in Nepal. However, the high cost of education in Kathmandu University has clearly created a social division making it impossible for the daughters and sons of ordinary Nepalis to get enrolled in that university. Moreover, by providing the available scholarships to those related to the top honcho of KU, Dr Sharma and Dr Sitaram Adhikary have clearly prevented the ordinary Nepalis from seeking enrollment in Kathmandu University.

Despite knowing very well that the Department of Computer Science and Engineering has been losing its appeal because of irregular schedule, redundant syllabus and highly undisciplined faculty members, Dr Sharma did not take any action against the chief of the department because the chief happens to be his own nephew.

Other faculty members have to live in constant terror for even slight delay in entering the classroom lest they would invite the wrath of Dr Sharma. Dr Sharma, does a rule apply to others' sons,　daughters and nephews only or does it apply to your own relatives also?

Another instance of Dr Sharma's unhealthy practice pertains to open promotion of his daughter in Kathmandu University. Apart from hiring the daughter as the faculty member, Dr Sharma reportedly wrote in your publications citing from the MBA thesis of his daughter.

In view of thousands of the illustrious students graduating from the School of Management and their path breaking research findings, it is amazing that Dr Sharma finds only his daughter's thesis or project report worthy to chronicle the success of KU. This is not only gross academic malpractice but also amounts to blatant attack on the faith, dignity and spirit of the academia.

S B Shrestha

Former Assistant Professor, KU

(Mechanical Engineering Department)