Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has said that the government is amending the law to ensure that academic professionals become chancellors of universities, ending the existing tradition of the prime minister serving as chancellor.
Speaking at the 31st convocation of Kathmandu University in Dhulikhel on Wednesday, she said political interference in higher education has to end. “Unnecessary partisan influence has negatively affected the quality of higher education. We need concrete reform measures to end this,” she added.
Karki, who is also the Chancellor of Kathmandu University, said internal review and consultations with stakeholders were underway under the leadership of Education Minister Mahabir Pun.
She also said artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and other emerging fields are reshaping academic systems worldwide. She added that the government is committed to increasing budget allocations for the sector.
The Prime Minister also said that the government was mulling over allowing international students to obtain student visas directly.
Dhulipudi Pandit, the vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, was the chief guest at the ceremony.
A total of 2,209 students graduated on the occasion.
