TU had summoned representatives of the agitating student unions for talks on Thursday hours before a deadline issued by the latter expired. The unions had issued a 72-hour ultimatum on Tuesday, demanding that the fee-hike decision be rolled back. On Sunday, TU had made public its decision to hike tuition fees 10 fold.
“We tried to persuade the student representatives about the rationality of the fee hikes but to no avail,” Bhimraj Adhikari, registrar at TU, told myrepublica.com. According to him, the three-hour-long talks were held in abeyance after both sides appeared reluctant to reconsider their stances.
“We will sit for a second round but not give up our demands,” Pradip Poudyal, president of Nepal Students Unions, said. Student unions have threatened to launch strong protests if their demands are not met.
The student unions say the state-owned university that runs on grant for 92 percent of its expenses cannot hike the fees on such a big scale. On the other hand, TU seems firm in its decision, asserting that it will not be able to develop infrastructure and introduce new programs if the fee hikes are not endorsed.
Related story
Former DIG Joshi in police custody following inconclusive court...
-1781882999.webp)
_20230329122016.jpg)
