An Interview with Asst. Prof. Danda Pani Acharya
Danda Pani Acharya was a former Assistant Professor of Physics at Kathmandu University. He joined KU in 1997. He was very sincere, dedicated and hard working and has served KU more than five years in different capacities. Currently he is working towards his PhD in atom manipulation using Low-Temperature Scanning Tunneling Microscope in the area of nano technology in Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, US. Recently the blog management team had chance to interview him. Here are the excerpts
BMC: Can you please throw some light on your past association with KU?
Mr D.P.: I joined KU in 1997 as a lecturer and later as an assistant professor. Before joining KU, I was teaching in the Central dept. of Physics, TU, Kirtipur. I worked in KU for more than five years until I came in US.
BMC: Having worked for this many years, what is your impression about this institution?
Mr D.P.:In my understanding KU is a non-profit making, community based academic institution. Believing that KU was a good place to work for young faculty like me I joined KU even though I was getting less than what I was getting in Kathmandu I found all staffs were very enthusiastic and dedicated and the students were very laborious.
In all academic institution teachers and students are considered to be the main stakeholder. But I found KU as an administration dominated institute. There was also nepotism and favoritism. The way it was running seems like a private family business company. There is no need of qualification to get job by the relatives of VC and registrar. The career development opportunity depends on their mercy. Moreover there is big corruption.
BMC: Do you agree that the promotions at KU are academically transparent?
Mr. D.P. Absotuly not. They have two faces- one to show and other to act. Getting job and promotion in KU is very easy for their relatives and “yes” men but for the people like us it is very difficult. I tell you the example of their transparency. Myself, Manish and Brijesh's interview were taken at the same time but their result was published within a month but it took more than six months in my case. How is that transparent ? They also got paid leave several times but they terminated my job when I requested for study leave.
BMC: How supportive was KU administration when you tried to pursue PhD in Physics?
Mr D.P.: Very rediculious. VC and registrar were very discouraging. They do not want anybody go outside for career development except few they wants. They want every body to be their “yes” man. They just want staffs who take chalk and duster and do nothing extra either for their career development or in other program or policy change so that they can keep them so long as they wants and fire them blaming of not improving the qualification when they does not want. In my case when I got chance to come US for Ph.D I requested for study leave. They gave me verbal assurance and allowed my family to stay in quarters in Banepa. But after two months when I was in US they send a letter of job termination to my home address and asked my family to leave the quarters immediately. That was very difficult time to me. I felt that these guys have even no character of humanity. The fact is that their relatives got paid leave several times but in my case they terminated my job for asking the study leave.
BMC: Recently KU claimed that they send their faculties to US for PhD on study leave. You also went to ICTP, Italy for post graduate study prior to going to US.
What was KU's role in this? is the KU's claim correct?
Mr.D.P.:They want to fool the outside people. This is a great lie. I had gone to ICTP in my own effort and USA also. Rather we had to keep secret our process of applying for study from these administrators in KU. When I was in ICTP I tried to help KU by providing books worth of thousands of dollar through ICTP and funded by UNESCO. Director of the program was my professor and I had requested her to donate books to KU. She contacted several times to KU authorities but none of them responded. Finally she had to give up and KU had to lose books worth of many thousands of dollars. I was very disappointed to lose that funding which was supposed to run for long time.
BMC: Some people say that present university act is passed in hurry without enough discussion and therefore incomplete for creating good academic environment. What is your impression about it?
Mr. D.P.: Thank you very much for this good question. The university act was passed in 2048 BS when just the democracy was established in the country. Then government had formed a committee to recommend education policy. But Kathmandu University act was passed before the submission of the committee's report. So the present Kathmandu University act contradicts with the education policy of the country. This act centralizes all the power to VC and registrar. Therefore they are misusing the power to do monopoly in the University. It needs to be revised immediately for betterment of Kathmandu University.
BMC: Some of the faculty members openly resent that Dr. Sharma and Dr. Adhikary alone are taking all the credits for the success of KU. Is it ethical for Dr. Sharma and Dr. Adhikary to do so?
Mr. D.P.: I agree that they had taken the initiation for the establishment of KU and also did good role for its establishment. But they publicized their work in such a way that KU is their private business company so that no one should bother about what is happening in KU. Hard work of young competitive teaching and non teaching faculties is never recognized and appreciated by the authorities anywhere else. They have created such an environment in the society that they are the only person who deserves all the credit and non for others. That is not the reality. Every donor, student, teacher, staff and community people should get equal credit to bring the university up to this stage. Now it is high time to uncover this reality.
BMC: What do you think is the urgent step in order to make KU a better place for everyone?
Mr. D.P.:In my opinion there are few steps needed to be done immediately. Firstly the present management team has to be changed. Secondly there is an urgent need to form a high level committee to investigate the financial and all other irregularities that are been raised by different people and bring the guilty to the court. Finally the rule of law has to be applied equally to every one without discrimination.
BMC: This blog appreciated the efforts of KUPA for complete mnagement change in KU. Do you have any suggestions for KUPA?
Mr. D.P.:I wish KUPA can stand in the favour of all dedicated family members of KU and will not compromise without getting its goal. KUPA so far is doing good job by raising the issues which needed to be done long before. I suggest to be aware of not getting any political color also.
BMC: Thank you very much sir.
Mr.D.P:Thank you also for giving me an opportunity to share my views.
BMC: Can you please throw some light on your past association with KU?
Mr D.P.: I joined KU in 1997 as a lecturer and later as an assistant professor. Before joining KU, I was teaching in the Central dept. of Physics, TU, Kirtipur. I worked in KU for more than five years until I came in US.
BMC: Having worked for this many years, what is your impression about this institution?
Mr D.P.:In my understanding KU is a non-profit making, community based academic institution. Believing that KU was a good place to work for young faculty like me I joined KU even though I was getting less than what I was getting in Kathmandu I found all staffs were very enthusiastic and dedicated and the students were very laborious.
In all academic institution teachers and students are considered to be the main stakeholder. But I found KU as an administration dominated institute. There was also nepotism and favoritism. The way it was running seems like a private family business company. There is no need of qualification to get job by the relatives of VC and registrar. The career development opportunity depends on their mercy. Moreover there is big corruption.
BMC: Do you agree that the promotions at KU are academically transparent?
Mr. D.P. Absotuly not. They have two faces- one to show and other to act. Getting job and promotion in KU is very easy for their relatives and “yes” men but for the people like us it is very difficult. I tell you the example of their transparency. Myself, Manish and Brijesh's interview were taken at the same time but their result was published within a month but it took more than six months in my case. How is that transparent ? They also got paid leave several times but they terminated my job when I requested for study leave.
BMC: How supportive was KU administration when you tried to pursue PhD in Physics?
Mr D.P.: Very rediculious. VC and registrar were very discouraging. They do not want anybody go outside for career development except few they wants. They want every body to be their “yes” man. They just want staffs who take chalk and duster and do nothing extra either for their career development or in other program or policy change so that they can keep them so long as they wants and fire them blaming of not improving the qualification when they does not want. In my case when I got chance to come US for Ph.D I requested for study leave. They gave me verbal assurance and allowed my family to stay in quarters in Banepa. But after two months when I was in US they send a letter of job termination to my home address and asked my family to leave the quarters immediately. That was very difficult time to me. I felt that these guys have even no character of humanity. The fact is that their relatives got paid leave several times but in my case they terminated my job for asking the study leave.
BMC: Recently KU claimed that they send their faculties to US for PhD on study leave. You also went to ICTP, Italy for post graduate study prior to going to US.
What was KU's role in this? is the KU's claim correct?
Mr.D.P.:They want to fool the outside people. This is a great lie. I had gone to ICTP in my own effort and USA also. Rather we had to keep secret our process of applying for study from these administrators in KU. When I was in ICTP I tried to help KU by providing books worth of thousands of dollar through ICTP and funded by UNESCO. Director of the program was my professor and I had requested her to donate books to KU. She contacted several times to KU authorities but none of them responded. Finally she had to give up and KU had to lose books worth of many thousands of dollars. I was very disappointed to lose that funding which was supposed to run for long time.
BMC: Some people say that present university act is passed in hurry without enough discussion and therefore incomplete for creating good academic environment. What is your impression about it?
Mr. D.P.: Thank you very much for this good question. The university act was passed in 2048 BS when just the democracy was established in the country. Then government had formed a committee to recommend education policy. But Kathmandu University act was passed before the submission of the committee's report. So the present Kathmandu University act contradicts with the education policy of the country. This act centralizes all the power to VC and registrar. Therefore they are misusing the power to do monopoly in the University. It needs to be revised immediately for betterment of Kathmandu University.
BMC: Some of the faculty members openly resent that Dr. Sharma and Dr. Adhikary alone are taking all the credits for the success of KU. Is it ethical for Dr. Sharma and Dr. Adhikary to do so?
Mr. D.P.: I agree that they had taken the initiation for the establishment of KU and also did good role for its establishment. But they publicized their work in such a way that KU is their private business company so that no one should bother about what is happening in KU. Hard work of young competitive teaching and non teaching faculties is never recognized and appreciated by the authorities anywhere else. They have created such an environment in the society that they are the only person who deserves all the credit and non for others. That is not the reality. Every donor, student, teacher, staff and community people should get equal credit to bring the university up to this stage. Now it is high time to uncover this reality.
BMC: What do you think is the urgent step in order to make KU a better place for everyone?
Mr. D.P.:In my opinion there are few steps needed to be done immediately. Firstly the present management team has to be changed. Secondly there is an urgent need to form a high level committee to investigate the financial and all other irregularities that are been raised by different people and bring the guilty to the court. Finally the rule of law has to be applied equally to every one without discrimination.
BMC: This blog appreciated the efforts of KUPA for complete mnagement change in KU. Do you have any suggestions for KUPA?
Mr. D.P.:I wish KUPA can stand in the favour of all dedicated family members of KU and will not compromise without getting its goal. KUPA so far is doing good job by raising the issues which needed to be done long before. I suggest to be aware of not getting any political color also.
BMC: Thank you very much sir.
Mr.D.P:Thank you also for giving me an opportunity to share my views.
4 comments:
D.P sir,
It is really a fight against Raaj, in KU. I know iyt must have been a nightmare getting lerminated in stead of getting leave, but I am glad that you expressed your dis-satisfaction and experience through this blog. One of the reason why they have this Raaj in KU is because we didn't raise our voice, thinking that someone else will do it for us. Nepotism at KU is largely because of chamchas,whose sole goal is to get quick benefits and it will exist as long as we remain silent.
You know, these elements will ramain in KU unless someone we raise our voices. We worked in KU for better future future, better job, better institution, and better organization. Now , who is benifitted from it? Let's support the complete management change movement in KU, together we can make a difference.
G bhatt
The saying in hindi "Lat ka Kutta Bat se Nahi Manta" is exactly applicable to Sadhu Suresh Raj. He is not going to bother no matter how much he is exposed because he is now totally naked and does not feel any more shame. He has done all shamefull works except one thing for which he can claim Sadhu. That is he is not blamed for his relation with any women so far. Hey ! Suresh Raj this is the only reason left you can claim to be Sadhu.
You took job of a very dedicated person when he asked pay leave and give paid live to your Bhanja and Brijesh. Not only that you asked his family to leave quarters when her husband was not at home. Shame! Shame ! Suresh Raj. You better sucide Suresh Raj than to hang on post. I gave you suggestion last time also you did not listen. This is my last suggestion.
Your well wisher and old friend
Hi
KU has become a family university now,famiversity would be a nice name to it. KUPA only can't fight against it, as there are only a few people associated with KU. A few are silent supporters of KUAP, a few are wait and see guys. A few are just newtral and the rest are NoKUPA members. Some N0-KUPA guys will switch side once the fight becomes intense and close to win. So those are not very reliable guys. Whoever has worked in KU and doesn't care about losing jobs, would be an ideal candidate to bell the cat. There have been a number of voices against Sitaram and Suresh Raj, but the voices are only heard when spoken at right places.
If someone feels victimized, the iron is hot. The opportunity rarely comes twice.
former faculty
Danda sir at Brookhaven National Laboratory!
http://www.bnl.gov/cfn/people/?id=23833
Best wishes,
KU-ISc'02
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