The newly appointed Minister for Education and Sports Pradeep Nepal has said he will immediately initiate efforts to appoint key officials including Vice Chancellors in universities.

“I have to recommend names for appointment and the Prime Minister, in his capacity as chancellor, has to appoint them. We have to cooperate,” he said, adding that the process could be completed within two weeks.

Nepal said the efforts would be initiated after PM Koirala returns from SAARC Summit.

Due to absence of key officials in the universities, the administration of these institutions has been thoroughly affected since last many months. Even Tribhuwan University has been unable to hold regular convocation ceremonies.

In the past, Dr. Mangal Siddhi Manandhar – Nepal’s predecessor – had accused PM of not cooperating in the appointment of VCs.

Various student organisations have been organising protest programmes demanding immediate appointment of key university officials.