Student Participation in University Governance: A Comparative Study between Tribhuvan University and Kathmandu University, Nepal

Abstract

The current research study sheds light on student participation in the governance of two universities in Nepal: Tribhuvan University (TU) and Kathmandu University (KU). The findings indicated that student participation in the governance of TU and KU varies in types, intensity levels and outcomes. Political orientation in the student participation at TU and academic motivation at KU refer to the variation in the types. Students oppositional stance in decision-making makes student participation comparatively more intense at TU than students supportive role in decision-making at KU. Regarding the outcomes, the student participation has contributed to diminish long-standing conflicts between students and university authorities at TU and fear of external influence (political dominance) at KU. The findings also indicated that the student participation in both universities is not influential with regard to sharing equal responsibilities and being full members of university decision-making process. The students or their representatives are only consulted; the student comments, feedback or issues are collected, without a guarantee of being taken into consideration in the decision making process. On the other hand, the student participation is motivated by political parties at TU and by institution or university authorities at KU. This political and institutional motivation has potential to weaken even more students participation in university governance. Building on these findings, this study recommends the universities and the political parties to take into consideration, and encourage student participation by safeguarding the students rights to independence and equality, and enable involvement in the university s decision-making process.