Prime Minister and Chancellor Balendra Shah appointed Prof. Rajan Suwal as Mid-West University's new Vice-Chancellor on Asar 19, 2083 (July 3, 2026), from a three-candidate shortlist recommended through the government's open competitive process. Education and Sports Minister Sasmit Pokharel administered his oath of office and secrecy the same day at the Ministry.
| New Vice-Chancellor | Prof. Rajan Suwal |
| Appointed | Asar 19, 2083 (July 3, 2026) |
| Selection process | Open competition; 20 applicants |
| Outgoing VC | Prof. Dr. Dhruba Kumar Gautam (removed by ordinance, May 2, 2026) |
Prof. Suwal joins Mid-West University from Tribhuvan University, where he was an associate professor in the Civil Engineering Department at Pulchowk Campus. His move represents one of the more direct examples in this appointment round of a working TU engineering academic taking on university-wide executive leadership at a different institution.
Twenty candidates applied for the Mid-West University VC post. As with the other universities in this round, a Selection and Recommendation Committee chaired by Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel oversaw shortlisting, public feedback, interviews, and the final three-name recommendation to Chancellor and PM Balendra Shah.
Mid-West University's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Dhruba Kumar Gautam, was removed from office under the same May 2, 2026 ordinance affecting politically appointed university leaders nationwide. The Mid-West University Registrar was removed in the same action.
