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Abstract
Could a person with political power, who never held the rank of full professor or even associate professor, be made a chancellor or an academic leader of a major American university? It is very rare. Yet in Nepal such appointments are common. This research explores the influence of external politics in Nepalese higher education, especially influence in decision making at Tribhuvan University. This study examined such influence by reviewing the official decision making process at Tribhuvan University, autonomy in that process, and the role of students in influencing decision making. A descriptive design was used to conduct this qualitative study. Data consisted of personal interviews with administrators, students and teachers at Tribhuvan university, as well as national level politicians and administrators in the Ministry of Education. In addition, a review of documents and field observation was conducted.
The study revealed the following: (1) External politics greatly influence the administration and decision making at Tribhuvan University due to the affiliation of administrators and decision makers with political parties. (2) Student organizations are also linked to political parties and come under their influence. These organizations put pressure on administrators and influence their decision making. (3) There is evidence of political influence in both the committee and Tippani systems of decision making. (4) Since the government provides more than 90 percent of the total financing of the University, it uses its pursestring power to influence decision making. (5) Political influence comes to the University both by external initiation and by invitation of the University leadership. (6) External political influence in decision making is impacted by a culture of uncritical loyalty to higher political power prevalent in Nepalese society.
