Dhulikhel — A student at Kathmandu University’s School of Engineering has accused the institution of discrimination in its scholarship selection process and alleged that administrative pressure followed after he raised concerns over the decision.

Bhanu Pokharel, a first-year Master’s student in Health Informatics from Rukum, has lodged a complaint with the University Grants Commission (UGC), claiming he was unfairly denied a scholarship despite meeting eligibility criteria related to financial need and geographical disadvantage.

According to Pokharel, he had applied for the UGC’s Formula Funding Scholarship, a scheme intended primarily for students from economically vulnerable backgrounds. He alleged, however, that preference was given to applicants from relatively accessible areas, including Kathmandu and the Dhulikhel region.

Pokharel said he comes from Rukum, a remote district in Karnali Province, and belongs to a financially weak family. Despite this, he claimed, he was excluded from the scholarship list while other candidates with stronger access and influence were selected.

“Four out of the five interviewees were selected, but I was left out, even though I qualified under the remote-area quota and need-based criteria,” Pokharel said.

He further alleged that when he repeatedly approached the department and the dean’s office for clarification, he was not provided with an official explanation. Instead, he said, he faced psychological pressure.

Pokharel also claimed that the issue escalated further after his complaint, with indications that his university registration might be withheld despite having already studied for four months. He said officials suggested that problems could arise in his registration, which he interpreted as indirect intimidation.

The student argued that the university was attempting to create difficulties for him by citing reasons such as discrepancies in registration records.

In his complaint to the UGC, Pokharel has called for a fair investigation, questioned the transparency of the scholarship allocation process, and sought an impartial review of what he described as possible discriminatory treatment.

University officials could not be reached for comment on the matter. Pokharel said he remains determined to pursue justice through all available channels.