Towards the end of April 2021, I came across an ad for a number of positions at Kathmandu University, one of the top private universities in the country. Except, I had some major issues with it. So, I posted a thread on twitter which is what I am reproducing here with comments where necessary or appropriate.
I created the thread because the whole thing was so embarrassing and cringworthy. Anyway, here’s the first tweet.
1/n
— Dorje Gurung, ScD (h.c.) (@Dorje_sDooing) May 1, 2021
When politics drives, #education takes a back seat.
Here’s one GLARING #evidence: a #JobAdvertisement from one of the BIGGEST universities in #Nepal.
The ad would have you believe otherwise.
How so? Keep reading. #KU #KathmanduUniversity #NepaliUniversity https://t.co/9a4KTpQ6Su pic.twitter.com/PxwXl3Y0ir
In the next tweet, I drew attention to the langauge which was, again, embarrassing!
2/n
— Dorje Gurung, ScD (h.c.) (@Dorje_sDooing) May 1, 2021
To begin w/, there’s d language
issue. (Please don’ tell me, “We
are NOT native speakers” or
“#KU is NOT an institution in a native
English speaking country” etc.)
Again, let me remind you,
this is coming from one of d biggest
UNIVERSITIES in d country. #Nepal #education
Then there was the issue of timing and their expectations.
3/n
— Dorje Gurung, ScD (h.c.) (@Dorje_sDooing) May 1, 2021
Ad published on April 29 (img 1) when,
1. there’d been clear signs #SecondWave had begun,
2. Gov’t (on 26th) had already called for lockdown starting THAT very day.
Yet, application calls for in-person submission of supporting documents by Mary 24 (img 2). #Nepal #Education pic.twitter.com/wr4iufmiyT
Had no one at the University been tracking the pandemic? Had no one at the University been aware of the developments and what they potentially meant?
Then next, I had two questions about the timing and expectations.
4/n
— Dorje Gurung, ScD (h.c.) (@Dorje_sDooing) May 1, 2021
Even last year, when pandemic was a
walk in d park COMPARED to now, d
lockdown went on & on.
So, 2 Q’s:
1. NO ONE in d #KU management who
know enough about d #pandemic…still?
2. a UNIVERSITY of KU’s stature could
NOT adapt & find an alternative?#Nepal #Education
In the following tweet I point out an issue with the date the ad was published and the date from which they were accepting applications. That just shows a lack of planning and organization.
5/n
— Dorje Gurung, ScD (h.c.) (@Dorje_sDooing) May 1, 2021
Ad was published on April 29 (img 1),
but will accept applications only from
May 3 (img 2).
Why put out a job ad applications for
which prospective employees CAN’T file
for at least a few days?! Who plans &
organizes these things at #KU?! #Nepal #Education #KathmanduUni pic.twitter.com/uUnKyD62pK
And then there were the requirement.
6/n
— Dorje Gurung, ScD (h.c.) (@Dorje_sDooing) May 1, 2021
Next, d requirements.
I’ve read MANY professional job ads in my life
& have also filed abt 200 job applications in many countries.
I don’t recall them asking for MARK SHEET/
TRANSCRIPTS, forget ALL of them! (Is this
b/c of prevalence of fake ones?) #Nepal#education #KU pic.twitter.com/kQKhCBYF6h
And more requirements.
7/n
— Dorje Gurung, ScD (h.c.) (@Dorje_sDooing) May 1, 2021
Other requirements:
* “application fee”: Rs.500 (~USD5)
* “selection process fee”=Rs.1800 (~USD17) or Rs2000(~USD19).
I’ve applied for jobs all over the world but can’t remember paying such fees for d “privilege.” 😉 😉
(Then again, #Education in #Nepal is a business!) pic.twitter.com/SAjNDmDgGu
Following the lockdown, did the University revise or change the requirements? I suspect NOT!
And the concluding tweet.
n/n#KU is a PRIVATE uni.
— Dorje Gurung, ScD (h.c.) (@Dorje_sDooing) May 1, 2021
But by all accounts, instead of it being,
1st & foremost, an institution of higher
learning, it’s a playground for
politicians &/or aspiring politicians.
Result? People in decision making positions who produce ads such as that! #Nepal #Education
The job advertisement looks more like one from some small family-owned and run business than from one of the biggest–if not the BIGGEST–private university in the country of Nepal!
What do you think?
