Prime Minister and Chancellor Balendra Shah appointed Prof. Kishan Datta Bhatta as Far-Western University's new Vice-Chancellor on Asar 19, 2083 (July 3, 2026), following the government's open competitive selection process. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Education and Sports Minister Sasmit Pokharel the same day, ending a leadership vacancy that had run since the previous VC's removal in May 2026.
| New Vice-Chancellor | Prof. Kishan Datta Bhatt |
| Appointed | Asar 19, 2083 (July 3, 2026) |
| Selection process | Open competition; 19 applicants shortlisted and interviewed |
| Prior Leadership Role | Dean, Faculty of Engineering of Far-Western University. |
| Outgoing VC | Prof. Dr. Hem Raj Pant (removed by ordinance, May 2, 2026) |
Background: who is Kishan Datta Bhatta?
Prof. Bhatt is a professor in Far-Western University's Faculty of Engineering. He holds a PhD in Urban Planning and Design from the University of Hong Kong. Prof. Dr. Kishan Datta Bhatta also served as the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering of Far-Western University.
Selection process
Nineteen candidates applied for the Far-Western University VC post, drawn from serving university faculty as well as retired administrators and academics from other institutions. During the vacancy, Prof. Yagya Raj Pathak (the university's former Registrar) served as caretaker Vice-Chancellor while the Selection and Recommendation Committee, chaired by Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel, ran the shortlisting, interview, and recommendation process.
The predecessor: how the previous leadership left
Far-Western University's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Hem Raj Pant, was removed from office under the government's May 2, 2026 ordinance that terminated politically appointed office-holders across universities and health-science academies nationwide. In total, 27 office-holders at Far-Western University including the VC, the Rector-equivalent post, and the Registrar lost their positions in that action.
