KATHMANDU: Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel has said the government has begun efforts to resolve the nearly 15-year land dispute between Rampur Campus and the Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU) in Chitwan.
During a visit to both institutions on Friday, the minister inspected academic, research and administrative activities, as well as infrastructure and laboratory facilities. She also held discussions with officials, faculty members, staff and other stakeholders.
Participants in the discussions said the long-standing land dispute between Rampur Agriculture Campus and AFU has hindered academic development, infrastructure expansion and the implementation of long-term plans.
Minister Pokharel said the government is committed to resolving the dispute through coordination and legal processes, adding that an appropriate solution will be sought while safeguarding the academic interests of both institutions.
She noted that both institutions play a vital role in agricultural education, research, technological development and the production of skilled human resources in Nepal. The government’s objective, she said, is not to weaken either institution but to strengthen both and enhance their effectiveness.
Stakeholders expressed confidence that the government’s active intervention would help end the 15-year dispute and provide fresh momentum to the academic and research activities of both institutions.
The monitoring visit was attended by Hari Dhakal, chair of the House of Representatives’ State Affairs and Good Governance Committee; Prabha Dhakal, a member of the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee; and the minister’s advisers Shailendra Jha and Saroj Gautam.
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