Proposed Buddhist university lingering without permission

Chairman of Nepal’s proposed Siddhartha University, emphasizing on Buddhist education, Monk Dr. Sunanda Mahasthavir has voiced that the Nepal government has done injustice to his university by not recognizing it even though it has fulfilled almost all the requirements under the process and procedures defined by the nation’s laws.

Answering journalists’ questions at a press conference in Kathmandu on Friday, Monk Dr. Sunanda Mahasthavir said that the government has never given any specific cause why it should not recognize the university. Monk Dr. Asthavir accused the University Grants Commission of playing different tricks against the proposed Siddhartha University.

Stressing on the necessity of education and research on Buddhist philosophy for the nation’s advancement based on the peaceful principles of Buddhism, he requested the government to recognize the proposed university as soon as possible.

Responding to reporters’ queries, he stressed that the proposed Siddhartha University will never try an unethical method in order to persuade government officials to recognize the university.

In the press conference, Monk Dr. Mahasthavir revealed that the government has already recognized some  other universities that applied later than the proposed Siddhartha University, which remains undecided till today.

This reporter could not get in touch the concerned government officials who could answer some queries regarding the issue of the proposed Siddhartha University.

So far, there are six universities in Nepal, viz., Tribhuvan University,  Nepal Sanskrit University, Kathmandu University, Purbanchal University, Pokhara University, and Lumbini Boudha University.

The University Grants Commission of Nepal is responsible for appropriately advising the government on the establishment of new universities. It has to recommend if proposed universities fulfill the criteria defined by the government.