Kathmandu: A major financial irregularity has surfaced at Tribhuvan University, where hundreds of professors and staff who went on paid study leave failed to return, misusing benefits worth more than Rs 2 billion. An internal probe found that 397 faculty and employees drained approximately Rs 2.02 billion from the state over five years by continuing to draw salaries and perks without resuming their duties.
The investigation revealed a widespread pattern: staff would take study leave—often travelling abroad—and then not come back. Despite receiving salaries, allowances, and benefits during their absence, they did not fulfil the required service period afterwards. On average, a single associate professor costs the university over Rs 1 million annually in salary, benefits, and allowances. Over five years, that translates to nearly Rs 5 million per individual, contributing to the massive cumulative loss.
Study leave at the university is intended to enhance academic quality by allowing faculty and staff to pursue further education or research, either domestically or abroad. In return, they are obligated to serve the university for a set period after completing their leave—three years for shorter leaves and up to five years for longer ones. If they fail to return, they are legally required to repay the amount received, along with 12 percent interest. They also sign formal commitments before leaving, and the university reserves the right to recover dues from their assets if necessary.
However, enforcement has been weak. The committee found that many individuals neither completed their studies nor returned to their posts, effectively defeating the purpose of the policy. This has not only caused financial losses but also undermined academic standards, forcing campuses to rely heavily on temporary or contract teachers while sanctioned positions remain technically occupied.
The issue appears particularly severe in technical fields, where staff are more likely to secure opportunities abroad and choose not to return. The report also notes that after the introduction of staff service regulations in 1993, the trend of taking study leave increased significantly, but monitoring mechanisms failed to keep pace.
Following the formation of the probe committee, some individuals have begun repaying the misused funds, likely due to concerns about reputational damage and legal consequences. So far, six faculty members have returned a combined total of over Rs 18.6 million. Still, the scale of the problem remains large, with hundreds yet to comply.
The committee has recommended stricter enforcement of policies, improved monitoring and evaluation systems, and reforms to ensure study leave is used genuinely for professional development rather than personal gain. It warned that continued misuse could erode institutional discipline, weaken teaching and research quality, and deprive the university of skilled human resources.
Ultimately, what was designed as an investment in academic excellence has, in many cases, turned into a costly loophole—raising urgent questions about accountability and governance within Nepal’s largest university system.
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