By Manjima Dhakal
Kathmandu, Mar. 8 :It is highly challenging to handle a newly established university set up in a geographically far-flung and socio-culturally backward region. But Professor Bhushan Shrestha proved her mettle by leading Far-Western University as its Vice Chancellor (VC). She has the distinction of being the first female university VC of Nepal. But this career success was not free from challenges and hurdles.

When Professor Bhushan reached the Far Western University in 2015 to assume her office of vice-chancellor, something in the university made her to feel uneasy. She was stunned and angry at the treatment of some university teachers and officials towards a female office assistant working there.

The VC learned that they used to reject tea and water served by the office assistant because of the menstrual taboo prevalent in the region. This unexpected gender bias within in the university environment made Bhushan think that it was really a challenge for her to work as a woman in the senior-most position of the academic institute. She encouraged the female assistant to cook in the cafeteria kitchen and serve the staff without hesitation.

As time passed by, some discouraging attitude of the people against the VC was continuing. Though they did not dare to say anything sarcastic directly, their actions and body language showed that they were not very supportive. “People inside and outside the university tried to create a situation where I would be frustrated and run away from my responsibility, but I didn’t” she says. Some people even used to pelt stone at her residence window at night to terrify her.

But, all these actions never discouraged Bhushan. Instead, she felt she had gained more energy to perform better. She never looked back and was not distracted by those
who tried to lead her to a failure. With a firm foothold, she was able to increase the quotas of teachers and employees of the university to 444 from around 100. The university started new programme on Agricultural Science during her tenure. She introduced a scheme of awarding gold medals to faculty toppers under female category too.

Bhusan had previously headed the Central Department of Education as the first female head of department at Tribhuvan University. She has an interesting tale to share about her appointment

as a VC. Then Education Minister Chitra Lekha Yadav had recommended her name for VC after her HoD stint for over a decade. She was selected considering her performance. After getting the ministerial recommendation, she had a meeting with then Prime Minister Sushil Koirala. Koirala asked her if she could work as a VC.

“Accept me for the post only if you have a trust on my ability,” was Bhushan’s reply to Koirala. Then Koirala gave her appointment letter asking her to work honestly.Bhushan was born at Gyaneshwor, Kathmandu in 1957. It was the time when social stigma against daughters was still prevalent even in Kathmandu and many parents used to arrange marriage of their daughters at their early age. However, Bhusan did not have to marry at a tender age because of her educated parents.

Her father, |Ananda Prasad Shrestha, was a government officer and he always motivated his children for better education. And, her mother Manorama Devi, also was an inspiration.
Bhusan completed her school education from Mahendra Bhawan High School and completed intermediate and bachelor level from Padma Kanya Campus. Shrestha completed her Master Degree from Tribhuvan University in 1981. She started working as a lecturer at Tribhuvan University in 1983 on contract basis. A year later, she became a permanent teacher at TU.

Only after getting a permanent job, Bhushan married Subarna Man Shrestha, an economist. She wants to give credit to her family for her success in her career.
She is proud of her teaching profession. “When I tour different parts of the country I meet my students working in different positions. They express me their respect which is a lot for me,” she says.
What is Bhushan’s observations about the education system of Nepal? “Our education teaches us the way to earn money and to get employed but does not equip us with life skills,” she says.

The situation of girl education has improved now compared to those days, however, there is still discrimination to girls even within family, she says.
Bhushan has an appeal for every parent to give self-confidence to their children especially for girls. Children have to grow up with the “I can do it” confidence, she says.