KATHMANDU, Dec 24: Tribhuvan University (TU) has begun preparations to decentralize its convocation ceremonies and conduct them on a regional basis from the upcoming academic session, aiming to increase student participation and reduce financial burden.
TU reached this decision after concluding that the Kathmandu-centric convocation has become too expensive for students, resulting in low participation despite many being eligible to graduate.
TU’s 51st convocation ceremony is scheduled to be held on Thursday, December 25, at Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu. However, data show that the number of applicants seeking to attend the ceremony is significantly lower than the number of eligible graduates.
Around 90,000 eligible, only 17 percent participating
According to Suryakanta Kalauni, Deputy Controller of the Office of the Controller of Examinations at TU, a total of 89,191 students passed bachelor’s, master’s, MPhil, and PhD levels during one academic year—from June 15, 2024, to June 14, 2025.
This means nearly 90,000 students are eligible for graduation, but only 16,380 students have formally applied to attend the convocation ceremony in person.
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TU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Deepak Aryal said the participation of only around 17 percent of eligible students is a serious concern for the university.
“TU shoulders nearly 80 percent of the country’s higher education burden. Every year, around 80,000 to 90,000 students graduate,” Aryal told Republica. “But a Kathmandu-centric convocation costs students from outside the Valley around Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per person, including travel and accommodation. Because the ceremony is so expensive, student attendance has remained low.”
To reduce students’ financial burden and improve access, TU plans to organize convocations regionally from the next academic session, starting with Pokhara.
According to Vice-Chancellor Aryal, around 30 percent of TU students are from the western region. “We are preparing to amend the TU Act to conduct convocations in line with the concept of the five development regions—starting with Pokhara, followed by the eastern, central, mid-western, and far-western regions,” he said. “If we can hold the convocation in Pokhara, it will reduce the burden for 30 percent of students from the western region and increase participation.”
To enhance the stature of the 51st convocation, a special guest has been invited. Nobel Prize–winning physicist Prof Dr Takaaki Kajita will attend the ceremony as the chief guest. Kajita, a professor of physics at the University of Tokyo, is expected to help elevate TU’s global profile through his presence.
Compared to last year, the number of participating students has increased by 3,000 this time.
In view of this, special arrangements have been made for crowd management. According to Assistant Controller Kalauni, the number of service counters has been increased from 63 to 80.
“Students can conveniently collect their academic certificates from multiple counters, and separate seating arrangements have been made for guardians,” Kalauni said.
TU estimates that around 42,000 people—including 16,380 graduating students and their guardians—will be present at the ceremony.
A total of 25 convocation medals and awards will be distributed to students achieving outstanding results in various disciplines, for which the budget has already been arranged.
Prime Minister and Chancellor Sushila Karki’s address at the ceremony is being closely watched. TU has said it is proud to hold the convocation under the chairpersonship of the first female chancellor.
Amid the country’s changing political situation and ongoing debates over academic freedom, Minister for Education, Science and Technology and Pro-Chancellor Mahabir Pun has repeatedly raised in cabinet meetings the demand to abolish the provision that makes the prime minister the chancellor of universities.
Based on this, intense discussions and debates are ongoing within Prime Minister Karki’s cabinet on appointing an academic as university chancellor and removing the prime minister from that role.
According to TU officials, there is a possibility that Prime Minister Karki may make an important announcement or signal regarding the removal of the prime minister as chancellor in her concluding remarks at the convocation.
Although TU has already prepared a draft of the prime minister’s speech, the Vice-Chancellor’s Office said the prime minister may add significant remarks of her own at the final stage.
