Nepal: Siddhartha University proposed 17 years ago but not considered yet

 Chairman of Nepal’s proposed Siddhartha University, Dr. Bikkhu Sunanda Mahasthavir, has expressed his regret as the government has not yet approved of the university despite the fulfillment of all the official requirements as per the nation’s laws.

 Organizing a press conference on Wednesday at Kantipur City College in Kathmandu, he informed the participating journalists that 235 Members of Parliament have already recommended for a bill of the university.

 A theological graduate from Harvard University and a doctoral dissertation holder in philosophy from the American University, Washington, Dr. Mahasthavir complained that he would at no cost adopt any unethical method to please and acquire approval for the university. Answering questions posed by journalists, he stressed that Siddhartha University is for the nation’s academic growth in Buddhist philosophy and moral enrichment.

 Dr. Mahasthavir also informed journalists that Nepal government has not given any reason why the process of licensing the community-proposed university has lingered for 17 years now.

 In response to queries from the press conference participants, he promised that he would not use any unfair method to get the university registered. He, instead, urged journalists and civil society members to lobby for this good cause. “We are not doing anything with an ill-intention. We will not yield to any immoral method.” Dealing with another question about the lingering on the side of government bureaucracy, he said “No minister has ever directly bargained for his or her personal benefit while we talked to them; however, unknown and vague persons with political linkages had tried to broker with financial benefits in mind.” While we are trying to launch a university for welfare of mankind, why are we sidelined while the government has randomly approved several other universities that did have political linkages. 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.

Participants had also raised questions about newly emerging universities that did not have any infrastructures and academic vision.

Siddhartha University is a Buddhism-oriented university proposed by the local community at Ugrachandi Nala Village Development Committee in Kavre district. The Village Development Committee has provided about 56 hectares of land for the university while the university, according to Dr. Mahasthavir, has already prepared B.A. and M.A. curricula for academic Buddhism programs.