An Interview with Dr. Nirmal Joshee
Dr. Nirmal Joshee is an Assistant Professor at the Fort Valley State University, in the Department of Plant Sciences (Agricultural Research Station), Georgia, USA. He has served Kathmandu University for 3 years in as an Assistant Professor. He was a very dedicated, hard working and honest faculty in Kathmandu University. He was always seen to motivate the students towards research activities. Recently the blog management team had a chance to interview him, here are the excerpts:
BMC: Good Morning Sir.
Dr. Joshee: A very good morning to you too.
BMC: We have had a very good opportunity to interview you today. Could you please let us know your past association with KU, and in what capacity?
Dr. Joshee: I joined KU as a temporary Assistant Professor in 1995. I came back from Japan after completing four years of post doctoral work on molecular biology of water stress induced genes in rice.
BMC: Having worked in KU, what is your impression about this institution?
Dr. Joshee: Very confusing. That is why I am here in US.
BMC: You have worked very honestly for KU as both a good researcher and a good professor, how did you feel while coming to US?
Dr. Joshee: I departed KU with mixed feelings. One way I thought that I have lost an opportunity to establish good foundation at KU in the important area of biotechnology, but at the same time I was happy with the hope to join a lab / department / university in USA, where I will be just recognized by my hard work and credentials only.
BMT: Could you present a glimpse on their saying that the deserving candidates get priorities when hiring, promoting and while granting leave. What makes one eligible?
Dr. Joshee: Yes, deserving, but in what sense? One example- I was very sad the day Dr. Mukesh Chalise left the university. He is a very good teacher, serious and accomplished researcher and students adored him. He was with biology department since the days of Valley Campus being part of all the early spade work. I really do not understand, why wasn’t he promoted as HOD?
Another example, when I joined KU in 1995, I had my Ph. D., that I received in the year 1987, had experience of carrying out research in USAID projects from 1989 to 1991 (at RLABB), got the Rockefeller Foundation biotechnology fellowship to visit International Rice Research Institute (IRRI, Philippines) for three months in the year 1990, and had an experience of four years long post doctoral research at Biotechnology Institute, Akita, Japan. I requested them to consider my case for Temporary Associate Professor (Reader) subject to evaluation but they had their own yardstick to evaluate. So, I worked as a junior to people who were there first, though only M.Sc.
BMT: So there are some people in KU who are privileged? Is that right?
Dr. Joshee: There is nothing wrong in that as long as it is ‘some’. Even in a family, parents side with the weaker one. But not at the cost of others.
BMC: KU authorities have always emphasized verbally that faculties should enhance their research activities. How is your impression about that? Did KU send you to US for your research? Or does KU have any role in sending you to US?
Dr. Joshee: I proved that by bringing in grants. But that did not help me at all. I am not related to any KU authority. Why would they send me to US?
BMC: KU authority was unwilling to cooperate when KUPA was being formed. What could be the reason behind that?
Dr. Joshee: So that they do not have to leave KU unceremoniously.
BMT: There is a virtual organization in KU called No-KUPA, what do you think about such parallel organizations in KU?
Dr. Joshee: Freedom of expression is a right to be used in proper manner. If they have something sensible and beneficial to KU and its most important component ‘students’, that is fine.
BMC: Recently this blog has learnt that No-KUPA members are being promoted, would that be a good motivation to academic honesty?
Dr. Joshee: Certainly not, specially when they do not deserve it on the basis of merit. But if they qualify, nothing should be held against them either. With the same token, if KUPA members do not qualify, they should not be promoted too.
BMC: There is no doubt that Dr. Sharma was solely responsible for the establishment of KU. With the allegation from all sides, do you think he is still capable of leading this institution?
Dr. Joshee: I certainly believe that he conceptualized the idea of KU, but he was lucky to have people around him trusting in his dream and do their utmost. But at the same time he should be credited with what is happening now. You can not take credit for successes alone. That is a package deal when you lead.
BMC: Dr. Sharma doesn’t listen to his co-workers. He dictates them, so the principled academicians hesitate to work under him and leave the job sooner or later. Only yes men stay intact with him. Do you disagree with it?
Dr. Joshee: I was in the department of biology and that place was a good example of what you are saying.
BMC: How do you see the charges of Nepotism against Dr. Sharma and Adhikary?
Dr. Joshee: I have heard about that all the time, and felt it many times. But I never learned from authentic sources that who were their relatives receiving undue advantages.
BMC: Don’t you think the administration controls the dean’s offices by assigning voiceless people in dean’s offices?
Dr. Joshee: I have no idea in this respect. I never had a reach to that high level of administration. At my position I was a mere mortal. But yes, majority of the offices, when we used to go for any official work, were prime example of ‘how not to work’. That was very sad.
BMC: Many former and current academic staffs, like you, are studying / working internationally. This advantage could be a very huge resource for KU. In what way, could KU take advantage from you?
Dr. Joshee: They really do not need anything from us. First and foremost job should be of housecleaning. It is long overdue. What can you do when all your efforts will be directed to benefit chosen ones?
Secondly, many of our students, since I left KU in 1998, came to US and other countries for further studies. They are young and real valuable resource. That is what KU should be after as many of them returned to Nepal. Any great institution or company is known by its employee retention record. Sadly, in case of KU, it is handful and those who are their, with vested interests.
BMC: What should KUPA do in order to make KU an academic institution where everyone has values, thoughts and a better place for everyone that contributes the nation?
Dr. Joshee: They should go ahead with issue based approach. They should stay focused and united, and above all honest and loyal to the cause, institution, and academics.
BMC: Any message to blog readers?
Dr. Joshee: Please pray for the betterment of KU. I started teaching there with great hopes in 1995 and left for the US greatly disappointed in Nov 1998. I still feel that if administered properly, we will have a university of international stature.
BMC: Your special message to KUPA, No-KUPA and KU Authorities?
Dr. Joshee: Take a break and build a great institution. There is still hope. And time to time housecleaning job is necessary.
BMC: Thank you very much sir.
Dr. Joshee: I am really thankful to you. Once we left KU, they never thought of us as their own. At least, you are trying to reestablish the link as we do feel a sense of belongingness to KU.
BMC: Good Morning Sir.
Dr. Joshee: A very good morning to you too.
BMC: We have had a very good opportunity to interview you today. Could you please let us know your past association with KU, and in what capacity?
Dr. Joshee: I joined KU as a temporary Assistant Professor in 1995. I came back from Japan after completing four years of post doctoral work on molecular biology of water stress induced genes in rice.
BMC: Having worked in KU, what is your impression about this institution?
Dr. Joshee: Very confusing. That is why I am here in US.
BMC: You have worked very honestly for KU as both a good researcher and a good professor, how did you feel while coming to US?
Dr. Joshee: I departed KU with mixed feelings. One way I thought that I have lost an opportunity to establish good foundation at KU in the important area of biotechnology, but at the same time I was happy with the hope to join a lab / department / university in USA, where I will be just recognized by my hard work and credentials only.
BMT: Could you present a glimpse on their saying that the deserving candidates get priorities when hiring, promoting and while granting leave. What makes one eligible?
Dr. Joshee: Yes, deserving, but in what sense? One example- I was very sad the day Dr. Mukesh Chalise left the university. He is a very good teacher, serious and accomplished researcher and students adored him. He was with biology department since the days of Valley Campus being part of all the early spade work. I really do not understand, why wasn’t he promoted as HOD?
Another example, when I joined KU in 1995, I had my Ph. D., that I received in the year 1987, had experience of carrying out research in USAID projects from 1989 to 1991 (at RLABB), got the Rockefeller Foundation biotechnology fellowship to visit International Rice Research Institute (IRRI, Philippines) for three months in the year 1990, and had an experience of four years long post doctoral research at Biotechnology Institute, Akita, Japan. I requested them to consider my case for Temporary Associate Professor (Reader) subject to evaluation but they had their own yardstick to evaluate. So, I worked as a junior to people who were there first, though only M.Sc.
BMT: So there are some people in KU who are privileged? Is that right?
Dr. Joshee: There is nothing wrong in that as long as it is ‘some’. Even in a family, parents side with the weaker one. But not at the cost of others.
BMC: KU authorities have always emphasized verbally that faculties should enhance their research activities. How is your impression about that? Did KU send you to US for your research? Or does KU have any role in sending you to US?
Dr. Joshee: I proved that by bringing in grants. But that did not help me at all. I am not related to any KU authority. Why would they send me to US?
BMC: KU authority was unwilling to cooperate when KUPA was being formed. What could be the reason behind that?
Dr. Joshee: So that they do not have to leave KU unceremoniously.
BMT: There is a virtual organization in KU called No-KUPA, what do you think about such parallel organizations in KU?
Dr. Joshee: Freedom of expression is a right to be used in proper manner. If they have something sensible and beneficial to KU and its most important component ‘students’, that is fine.
BMC: Recently this blog has learnt that No-KUPA members are being promoted, would that be a good motivation to academic honesty?
Dr. Joshee: Certainly not, specially when they do not deserve it on the basis of merit. But if they qualify, nothing should be held against them either. With the same token, if KUPA members do not qualify, they should not be promoted too.
BMC: There is no doubt that Dr. Sharma was solely responsible for the establishment of KU. With the allegation from all sides, do you think he is still capable of leading this institution?
Dr. Joshee: I certainly believe that he conceptualized the idea of KU, but he was lucky to have people around him trusting in his dream and do their utmost. But at the same time he should be credited with what is happening now. You can not take credit for successes alone. That is a package deal when you lead.
BMC: Dr. Sharma doesn’t listen to his co-workers. He dictates them, so the principled academicians hesitate to work under him and leave the job sooner or later. Only yes men stay intact with him. Do you disagree with it?
Dr. Joshee: I was in the department of biology and that place was a good example of what you are saying.
BMC: How do you see the charges of Nepotism against Dr. Sharma and Adhikary?
Dr. Joshee: I have heard about that all the time, and felt it many times. But I never learned from authentic sources that who were their relatives receiving undue advantages.
BMC: Don’t you think the administration controls the dean’s offices by assigning voiceless people in dean’s offices?
Dr. Joshee: I have no idea in this respect. I never had a reach to that high level of administration. At my position I was a mere mortal. But yes, majority of the offices, when we used to go for any official work, were prime example of ‘how not to work’. That was very sad.
BMC: Many former and current academic staffs, like you, are studying / working internationally. This advantage could be a very huge resource for KU. In what way, could KU take advantage from you?
Dr. Joshee: They really do not need anything from us. First and foremost job should be of housecleaning. It is long overdue. What can you do when all your efforts will be directed to benefit chosen ones?
Secondly, many of our students, since I left KU in 1998, came to US and other countries for further studies. They are young and real valuable resource. That is what KU should be after as many of them returned to Nepal. Any great institution or company is known by its employee retention record. Sadly, in case of KU, it is handful and those who are their, with vested interests.
BMC: What should KUPA do in order to make KU an academic institution where everyone has values, thoughts and a better place for everyone that contributes the nation?
Dr. Joshee: They should go ahead with issue based approach. They should stay focused and united, and above all honest and loyal to the cause, institution, and academics.
BMC: Any message to blog readers?
Dr. Joshee: Please pray for the betterment of KU. I started teaching there with great hopes in 1995 and left for the US greatly disappointed in Nov 1998. I still feel that if administered properly, we will have a university of international stature.
BMC: Your special message to KUPA, No-KUPA and KU Authorities?
Dr. Joshee: Take a break and build a great institution. There is still hope. And time to time housecleaning job is necessary.
BMC: Thank you very much sir.
Dr. Joshee: I am really thankful to you. Once we left KU, they never thought of us as their own. At least, you are trying to reestablish the link as we do feel a sense of belongingness to KU.
7 comments:
Dear Nirmal sir
Yes, I agree with you on several issues but you didn't specifically say anything about nepotism in KU. You must know that the administration of KU is full of their relatives, and they are the ones who enjoy all benefits. How can it be a good institution without cleaning the allegations of finantial irregularities and curing Nepotism ? Again you were silent about the promotion and other academic matters? Doesn't Nepotism influence that?
Your student and colleague
I remember this Indian Guy working in KU, used to be very shrud, very bad teaching
Dear Blogowner,
I agree with balanced viewpoint of Dr. Nirmal. But, you should understand what is your objective? If you just want to attract more visitors, I suggest you to have interview with Suresh Raj Sharma himself.
Nirmal sir,
You didn't elaborate why Dr. Mukesh left KU. Can you put some light in it?
Your student
Dr. Joshi
I will tell you some examples of Nepotism since you said you know exactly.They are as follows.
1. Chief administrative staff is his brother
2.His daughter is administrative officer
3. His "Bhanja" is officer in exam section
4. His another "bhanja" is HOD in computer
5. Sita Ram's son is HOD in electrical department and enjoyed pay leave several times. Other staffs who are way senior could not get even study leave.
6. Bhadra man's son is also faculty
7. Sita Ram's another son is also faculty.
8. Sita ram's next house neighbour and his son are officer
9. Registrar's relative is in account section.
10.VC's relative is in "Darta Chalani" section
I believe their relatives have right to work in KU but I do not believe that every family member and relative are the only best candidate. Not only that there are many other finantial iregularities.Do you want to know?
Ask some of the early donors ?( I do not want name them here now, I will tell what they say when time comes).Who made Suresh Sharma's house in Dhulikhel? It is Sharma and company.A VC and registrar who gets salary from students fee goes to Bangkok and Hong_Kong for shoping in their daughter's marriage. How the money comes from.? You can compare their status before coming to KU and after coming to KU. I have seen that they always order furniture and stationary from same store. . There is never quotation demand.Every one know how they earn money from affiliated medical colleges. Are these not obivious proof of corrucption of money raised from student's fee. You know the favoritism. How they are promoted and granted pay leave.Dr. Joshi you know these. KU is a public institute. it is not established for their sons, daughters and relatives. This guy who claims himself as a Saint is a cheater. He is cheating faculties, parents, bureaucrats and politicians and every one. it is time to uncover his face. It is time to clean house as you said.
BMC,
Why don't you have interview with faculties from other schools? We want to read their views also. Please give us interview with Dr. Dinesh Chapagain, Dr. Bipul Karki, Dr. Manoj Khanal, Dr. Nir Chhetri and many others.
Nirmal sir,
This interview just looks like an interview to get attraction, although it touches some corners of Ku administration, it fails to address the root problems of KU and what can done to improve it. From professors like Joshee, it would be good to address such issues. Critisizm is no longer useful if it is only meant for critisizm.
We recommend, from now on,to this blog to come up with constructive critisism so that the idea of complete management change, gets some water.
We also want to hear from seniour professors from KU, what do they say about complete management change and how can it be done.
Does the blog management itself have any roadmap of how the acceptable solution can be achieved? It would be nice to know that too. We are hearig about some minor changes being done in KU to fool us once again, without concrete vision from KUPA and a road map they are going to do this and will do anything in order to remain in office. There is a runour that Dr. Sharma is willing to negotiate for the post of registrar to a total idiot, that could mean change in some sense, and pacity KUPA to some extent too. My point is that, lets work for a roadmap and stick to, no matter what.
Please coment
An assistat professor
KU
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