Prof. Dr Bhola Thapa – TU's 'Purification' and the Roadmap for a Digital Future

Can Nepal’s largest and oldest academic institution, Tribhuvan University (TU) , truly break free from the shackles of political sharing and administrative chaos? Newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Bhola Thapa , who brings 32 years of academic experience from Kathmandu University, joins the Fireside Podcast to share his vision. Recorded on July 13, 2026 , just four days into his tenure, Dr Thapa outlines a reform plan to transform the university’s face. In this episode, Dr Thapa discusses his clear mandate to remove political student organisations , his determination to reclaim encroached government lands —including the TU Stadium and Laboratory School—and his digital vision to replace the frustrating "Pwal Sewa" (hole-in-the-wall service) with modern IT and AI systems. With 120,000 students leaving Nepal annually, find out how he plans to stop the brain drain by making TU a global brand. Key Topics: Meritocracy: Breaking the tradition of political appointments through a scientific selection process. A Politics-Free Campus: Declaring the "end of justification" for student and employee unions. Property Reclamation: The plan to return billions in captured land to university ownership. Digital Transformation: Using AI to end administrative hurdles and "window services". Stopping the Student Exodus: Rebranding TU to provide quality, employment-oriented education at home.