The Government Appoints Prof. Bhandari as Secretary of UGC

Prof. Shankar Prasad Bhandari has been appointed as the Secretary of University Grants Commission. The Government of Nepal (Council of Ministers) has appointed him as the 6th Secretary of UGC on 4th Jan, 2021.

The newly appointed Secretary Prof. Bhandari is from management background and with long and rich administrative experience. He is a retired Professor of Management at Tribhuvan University. Prof. Bhandari served at the Faculty of Management for over two and half decades in various capabilities including Subject Committee Chairman. He has also a long experience on higher education reforms. He has more than eight years of experience as the project coordinator for Higher Education Reforms at TU supported by the World Bank. His key areas of delivery through reforms include: quality assurance and accreditation, performance-based funding to central departments and campuses, enhancing institutional and academic autonomy of campuses, examination reform, implementation of academic calendar, support for introducing new programs and their implementation, curriculum revision, recruitment and promotion of faculty based on academic excellence, and capacity building. He has many academic publications. His key publication are: Balanced Scorecard, Measuring and Management of Intellectual Capital, Strategic Management Accounting, Status of Activity-Based Costing of Some Dairies of Nepal, and Financial Performance of dairy Development Cooperation and Nepal Investment Bank Ltd. He has participated in different national and International workshops and seminars, monitoring and supervision, study visits and paper presentation.

Prof. Bhandari is an energetic academician with a strong ability to lead and develop education sector. His propound knowledge and experience is expected to enrich the development of higher education in the country.

The newly appointed Secretary Prof. Shankar Prasad Bhandari assumed office on 11th Jan 2021. A special program was organized at the UGC to welcome him. On the occasion, Prof. Dr. Bhim Prasad Subedi, Chairperson, UGC, welcomed Prof. Bhandari and wished for his successful four year tenure as its Secretary. Prof. Subedi expressed the belief that Prof. Bhandari’s vast experience and expertise on higher education reforms would be the great asset to strengthen UGC and higher education sector. He also hoped that the UGC will take the new height and speed as it has received a competent and capable leader.

Expressing his pleasure to join the UGC, Prof. Bhandari said, “I am honoured to be a part of the UGC, which playing a key role for the development of higher education of the nation.” He focused on the collaborative effort of all staff and stakeholders to address the challenges and issues prevailing in higher education sector. With mentioning that UGC possesses experienced and capable human resources, Secretary urged the employees to work together for the achievement of the goals and objectives of the Commission. He further expressed his commitment to maintain the image and integrity of the UGC.

Chief Administrative Officer Mr. Subas Chandra Dhungel in his welcome remarks said that the government appointed a person who is capable as well as familiar about the Commission and its administrative system. He further expressed his belief that the administrative activities would be effective since he has a long administrative experience.