PM Oli directs KU, Dhulikhel Hospital to maintain five-year collaboration

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has instructed Kathmandu University (KU) and Dhulikhel Hospital to maintain their collaboration for the next five years.

During the 97th Senate meeting of the university, held on Wednesday at the Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar, Kathmandu, PM Oli, who is also the Chancellor of KU, directed that misunderstandings and issues between the university and the hospital be discussed and resolved.

"Since the university cannot immediately open a new hospital and the government cannot invest in one, the relationship and cooperation with Dhulikhel Hospital should continue for at least five years," Prime Minister Oli stated, adding that within this period, the university will prepare to establish its own hospital.

Additionally, another meeting of the university will be held within the next month to make appropriate decisions towards this end and to discuss other challenges and difficulties, PM Oli mentioned.

Dhulikhel Municipality Mayor Ashok Byanju expressed that the university should not abruptly sever its ties with the hospital.

Prime Minister Oli, who is also the Chancellor, sought the opinion of former Vice-Chancellor Dr Suresh Raj Sharma and instructed KU to continue the cooperation, deeming it necessary to maintain the relationship between the two institutions.

Prime Minister Oli also suggested creating a situation where students are admitted to the university according to the capacity of the seats. He clarified that in the last fiscal year, revenue was 24% less than estimated, and the government could not provide more subsidies to the university even if it wanted to.

In the meeting, which was attended by the Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Bidya Bhattarai, the budget of Rs 4.30 billion presented by university registrar Dr Achyut Wagle was endorsed. The Education Minister is the Pro-Chancellor of the University.

Similarly, the Senate has approved the 'grace list' of 2,314 students who will graduate from various colleges affiliated with KU at the upcoming 29th convocation ceremony.