Tribhuvan University's School of Mathematical Sciences Finally Secures Modern Building After Decade-Long Dispute

In a significant development for Nepal's academic landscape, Tribhuvan University (TU) has formally handed over its state-of-the-art School of Mathematical Sciences building, a project that had been mired in a decade-long dispute over ownership and usage. The newly constructed facility, built at a cost of NPR 122.1 million (approximately USD 915,000), promises to usher in a new era of advanced learning and research in mathematical and data sciences.

The construction of the building, a multi-year project under the TU General Administration Department, was initially contracted in September 2015 with an ambitious two-year completion target. While the physical construction concluded in September 2019, the building remained unused and fell into disrepair for seven years due to an internal conflict regarding its rightful occupants. This prolonged dormancy meant that the School of Mathematical Sciences, despite having a dedicated structure, continued to operate from cramped quarters within the Public Administration Campus, hindering its academic potential.

The heart of the dispute lay in the initial allocation. The Registrar's office had, controversially, assigned the newly completed building not to the School of Mathematical Sciences, but to the central departments of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science. However, these departments failed to utilize the facility for four years, even leading to discussions about converting it into a central laboratory. This left the School of Mathematical Sciences in a precarious position, advocating tirelessly for a building that was ostensibly built for them.

After a persistent struggle spanning nearly a decade, the Tribhuvan University Executive Council intervened to resolve the impasse. The Council's decision paved the way for a joint ownership model, granting the School of Mathematical Sciences shared access alongside the central departments of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science. This resolution marks a crucial turning point, ensuring that the facility will now serve its intended purpose.

The formal handover ceremony was conducted by Raj Bahadur Rai, Chief of TU's General Administration Department. He officially transferred the building's ownership to Keshav Raj Phulara, Acting Director of the School of Mathematical Sciences; Prof. Dr. Chetraj Bhatta, Head of the Central Department of Mathematics; Madhav Kumar Bhusal, Head of Statistics; and Dr. Dhiraj Kedar Pandey, Head of Computer Science. This collaborative ownership structure is expected to foster greater synergy and resource sharing among these vital academic units.

Looking ahead, Acting Director Phulara expressed optimism, stating that the building would undergo immediate renovation and refurbishment to equip it with modern classrooms and seminar halls. Crucially, he highlighted that the new facility would enable the School to offer advanced technical subjects such as Actuarial Science and Data Science – fields with high global demand and significant relevance to Nepal's burgeoning financial and technology sectors. This expansion of academic offerings is poised to produce a highly skilled workforce, directly benefiting the national economy.

Prof. Dr. Shankar Prasad Khanal, Acting Rector of TU and Dean of the Institute of Science and Technology, further emphasized the urgency of the transition, instructing the departments to move into the new building swiftly, complete with modern furniture and technology. This handover is anticipated to inject new enthusiasm into TU's mathematical and statistical academic environment, fostering innovation, research, and a more robust educational foundation for future generations of Nepali professionals.