Kathmandu, March 9 -- Despite the prime minister's deadline and ultimatum from the Kathmandu University Professors' Association (KUPA), the committee to recommend vice-chair candidates at the university has failed to do its job.

With vice-chancellor Bhola Thapa retiring on January 19, the government on December 14 constituted the nomination committee under Suresh Raj Sharma, founding executive head at the university. However, a second call was made on January 31 as the selection criteria landed in controversy. As many as 20 have applied.

On February 14 and 15, the nomination committee heard the applicants' plans and interviewed them. But three weeks since, it has yet to recommend the names. The Sharma-led panel is responsible for sugges...