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Nalanda University

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Nālandā University
Nālandā Vishwavidyalaya
The campus in Rajgir at twilight
Full nameNālandā University Rajgir
MottoĀ no bhadrāḥ kratavo yantu viśvataḥ (Sanskrit)[1]
Motto in EnglishLet noble thoughts come to us from all directions (Rigveda 1.89.1)[2]
FounderMinistry of External Affairs (India)[3]
Established25 November 2010; 14 years ago (25 November 2010)[4]
Named forNalanda Mahavihara
Previous namesNalanda International University
Architectural styleVastu Shastra[5]
StatusResearch university, International university, Central university (India), Institutes of National Importance (INI)
Colors   
PresidentArvind Panagariya (Chancellor)
DeanAbhay Kumar Singh (Interim Vice-Chancellor)
UndergraduatesNone, Postgraduation only
Postgraduates1,038[6]
Endowment$210 million[7]
VisitorPresident of India
AffiliationsNAAC, UGC, Ministry of External Affairs (India)
Websitenalandauniv.edu.in
Map
Nalanda University is located in India
Nalanda University
Location in India

Nālandā University (NU; ISO: Nālandā Vishwavidyalaya) is a premier research university located in the ancient city of Rajgir in the state of Bihar, India. Designated as an Institute of National Importance (INI) and excellence, it is the flagship project of the Ministry of External Affairs (India)[8] and the direct successor of the famed Nalanda monastery of medieval Magadha. The university, like its predecessor, is named after the Sanskrit words Na-Allam-Da, meaning "the giver of knowledge."[9] It is solely a postgraduate institute, offering only Master's and PhD degrees. Regarded as a symbol of India's academic and historical legacy, Nālandā University is considered to be one of the most eminent and celebrated universities in the nation,[10][11][12][13] and a focal point in the revival of the Sanātana Dharma in India.[14][15][16]

The university was established by an Act of the Indian Parliament in 2010, with the President of India serving as the Visitor.[17] It is an international university supported by 18 member countries of the East Asia Summit,[18] with the initial proposal being placed by the former President of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.[19] The first Chancellor of the university was Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, followed by Singapore's Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo.[20]

Built at an initial cost of $210 million and spread over 485 acres, the campus is among the largest in India and the first in the country to implement a 'Net Zero' eco-recycling strategy.[21] The university offers degree programmes in the School of Historical Studies (SHS), the School of Ecology and Environment Studies (SEES), the School of Buddhist Studies (SBS), the School of Philosophy and Comparative Religions (SPCR), the School of Languages and Literature/Humanities (SLLH), and the School of Management Studies (SMS). It also offers degrees in the study of the Sanātana Dharma, as well as diplomas in languages such as Sanskrit, Pāli, Tibetan, Japanese and Korean. The new campus in Rajgir was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on June 19, 2024 in the presence of officials, ambassadors and dignitaries from all 10 ASEAN members.[22]

Nālandā university has subsequently established MoUs and collaborations with Peking University, University of Ostrava, Dongguk University, Deakin University, Otani University, Kanazawa University, The City University of New York, Chulalongkorn University, ICWA, IIPHG, ASI, ICCR, ISEAS, IIAS and CSIR.[23][24]

The university

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Nalanda University was established to emulate the ancient Buddhist university of Nalanda (Nalanda mahavihara), which functioned between the 5th and 13th centuries. The idea to resurrect Nalanda University was endorsed in 2007 at the 2nd East Asia Summit by the sixteen member countries.[25] In 2009, during the 4th East Asia summit, ASEAN member states including Australia, China, Korea, Singapore and Japan promised further support.[26] The Government of Bihar handed over land acquired from local people, to the university for its new campus.[27][28][29][30][31] Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar also met External Affairs Minister SM Krishna to receive reassurance that the Central Government would allocate sufficient funds to the project.[32]

The architectural design was chosen on the basis of a global competition.[33][34] The jury consisting of architects including Liu Thai Ker chose Pritzker Prize laureate BV Doshi's firm, Vastu Shilpa Consultants as the winner of the design competition.[35] The firm dbHMS provides the triple net zero energy, water and waste strategic plan.[36] Original concepts associated with the project included "advancing the concept of an Asian community...and rediscovering old relationships."[37] and "acting as a bridge for students in different parts of Southeast Asia".[38]

The university has been envisioned as an international institution of national importance[39] and excellence.[40] It began its first academic session on 1 September 2014 with 15 students in the School of Historical Studies and the School of Ecology and Environmental studies. A hotel operated by Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation in Rajgir provided initial hostel accommodation.[41][42] Initially set up with temporary facilities in Rajgir, a modern campus spanning over 160 hectares (400 acres) is under construction with over 80 percent having been completed by 2021.[38][43] The university started functioning from its 455-acres new campus from January 2020.[44] At least 200 villages surrounding the university will be attached to the university, reminiscent of the old Nalanda.[45]

Nalanda University becomes the first plastic free campus of Bihar.[46] Water in the university is now being available in glass bottles instead of plastic bottles. Along with this, biogas will also be produced.[citation needed]

For the academic year 2022-23, the University had 822 students in total. For the academic year 2023-24, the University had admitted 1038 students, out of which a total of 187 are international students (including Masters, Global PhD & Short Programmes as per January cycle).[47]

Nalanda University Act

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On 28 March 2006 the eleventh President of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam proposed the idea while addressing the Joint Session of the Bihar Vidhan Mandal for the revival of Nalanda University.[48] In 2007 the Bihar Legislative Assembly passed a bill for the creation of a new university.[45]

The Nalanda University Bill, 2010[49] was passed on 21 August 2010 in Rajya Sabha and 26 August 2010 in Lok Sabha.[50] The bill received Presidential assent on 21 September 2010 thereby becoming an Act.[51] The university came into existence on 25 November 2010, when the Act was implemented.

Governance

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The university's visitor is the President of India. The chancellor and chairperson of the governing board is Prof. Arvind Panagariya. The interim vice-chancellor is Prof. Abhay Kumar Singh. The governing board comprises the chancellor, vice-chancellor, representative from member countries, a secretary, two representatives from the Government of Bihar, a representative from the Ministry of Human Resource Development, and three persons in the category of "Renowned Academician or Educationist", Arvind Sharma, Lokesh Chandra and Arvind Panagariya.[52]

The first chancellor of the university was Amartya Sen, followed by former Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo. They left citing concerns about autonomy and political interference in academic matters.[53][54][55][56] Vijay Pandurang Bhatkar has been appointed the new chancellor on 25 January 2017 by President Pranab Mukherjee, in his capacity as Visitor to Nalanda University.[57] In 2017, Interim Vice-Chancellor Pankaj Mohan handed over charge to Professor Sunaina Singh.

Schools and centres

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Nalanda is exclusively a graduate school, currently offering master's courses, and doctor of philosophy programmes.

Nalanda University has five functional Schools at present:

  • School of Historical Studies
  • School of Ecology and Environmental Studies
  • School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religion
  • School of Languages and Literature/Humanities
  • School of Management Studies

The following schools are planned to start later, in a phased manner:

  • School of International Relations and Peace Studies
  • School of Information Sciences and Technology
  • School of Business Management (Public Policy and Development Studies)[58]

Three centres — Centre for Bay of Bengal,[59] Centre for Conflict Resolution and Peace Building, and Common Archival Resource Centre— will be operational soon.[43]

The School of Languages and Literature/Humanities commenced its operations with one year Post-Graduate Diploma Programmes in Pali, Sanskrit, Tibetan, Korean and English in 2018. Master's and doctoral programmes commenced in 2021.[60] It is planned to gradually expand to include other programmes in Indian and foreign languages.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Nalanda University motto".
  2. ^ "Veda and Pura meanings".
  3. ^ "Financial Support to Nalanda University". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Starting date of Nalanda University".
  5. ^ "Vastu Shilpa Consultants".
  6. ^ https://nalandauniv.edu.in/international-community/ [bare URL]
  7. ^ "Nalanda University financials".
  8. ^ "Financial Support to Nalanda University". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  9. ^ Mary, Stewart (1988). "Nalanda Mahavihara: An Historiographic Study of Its Art and Archaeology" (PDF). London: SOAS, University of London.
  10. ^ "BBC: Nalanda, the University that changed the world".
  11. ^ "Nalanda University History: India's 1600-year-old Ivy League-like institution, the world's oldest".
  12. ^ "Nalanda University: A Modern Campus Steeped in Ancient Heritage".
  13. ^ "Nalanda University: An Ancient Indian Ivy-League Institution".
  14. ^ "Sanatana Dharma studies at Nalanda University".
  15. ^ "Revival of Sanatana Dharma at Nalanda".
  16. ^ "Nalanda University: A Tale of Legacy, Destruction and Revival".
  17. ^ "Bill No. XLIX of 2011: The Nalanda University Bill, 2010". Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 September 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  18. ^ "Joint Press Statement of the 4th East Asia Summit on the Revival of Nalanda University, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand, 25 October 2009". asean.org. 25 October 2009. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  19. ^ "Address to the Joint Session of the Bihar Legislature, Patna: Missions for Bihar's Prosperity". abdulkalam.nic.in. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: Former President of India. National Informatics Centre. 28 March 2006. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  20. ^ "History and Revival". Nalanda University. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  21. ^ "Net Zero campus".
  22. ^ "PM Modi at Nalanda University". The Times of India.
  23. ^ https://nalandauniv.edu.in/mous/ [bare URL]
  24. ^ https://nalandauniv.edu.in/academics/shs/ [bare URL]
  25. ^ "Joint Press Statement of the 4th East Asia Summit on the Revival of Nalanda University, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand, 25 October 2009". asean.org. 25 October 2009. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  26. ^ Bikramaditya, Bibhuti (27 March 2007). "Nalanda International University: A Great Initiative". Patna Daily. Archived from the original on 9 July 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2008.
  27. ^ Puri, Anjali (3 March 2015). "Nalanda University: The view from close up". Business Standard India. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  28. ^ Nadim, Farrukh (8 September 2013). "International university in Nalanda my dream: CM". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  29. ^ Sinha, Ashish (14 August 2008). "Nalanda University set to reopen in '10, Amartya on faculty?". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 23 December 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  30. ^ Jha, Ashok K. (28 May 2007). "Nalanda International University: A commendable initiative". Merinews. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  31. ^ Velloor, Ravi (21 May 2011). "George Yeo assures Indian state of Nalanda commitment". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  32. ^ "CM seeks funds for Nalanda university". The Times of India. 19 May 2011. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  33. ^ "Global competition for Nalanda university design". 9 July 2011. Archived from the original on 22 August 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
  34. ^ "Global design competition for Nalanda university". Sify. Archived from the original on 26 February 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
  35. ^ "Winner of Design Competition" (PDF). Nalanda University. 6 May 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  36. ^ "Young entrepreneurs shaping sustainable growth in India". ACE Update Magazine. 4 March 2014. Archived from the original on 23 April 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  37. ^ Rajghatta, Chidanand (11 May 2008). "Nalanda to move from ruins to riches". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  38. ^ a b Sharma, Kritika (26 March 2022). "400-acre campus painted with nostalgia, an Asian melting pot — how Nalanda 2.0 is taking shape". ThePrint. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  39. ^ "Financial Support to Nalanda University". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  40. ^ "Nalanda University will be an international institution:PM". The Economic Times. Agencies. 24 October 2009. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  41. ^ "Nalanda International University begins its first Session". Bihar Prabha. Indo-Asian News Service. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  42. ^ Chatterjee, Chandan; Kumar, Roshan (1 September 2014). "Nalanda 2.0, 800 years on". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  43. ^ a b Rumi, Faryal (15 February 2020). "'Nalanda University campus to be fully operational by December next year'". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  44. ^ Tripathi, Piyush (16 November 2019). "Nalanda University set to move to new campus". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  45. ^ a b "Plans to restore Nalanda's past glory". Hindustan Times. IANS. 27 March 2007. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  46. ^ "Nalanda University becomes the first plastic free campus of Bihar". Prabhat Khabar. 29 July 2023.
  47. ^ https://nalandauniv.edu.in/international-community/ [bare URL]
  48. ^ "Address to the Joint Session of the Bihar Legislature, Patna: Missions for Bihar's Prosperity". abdulkalam.nic.in. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: Former President of India. National Informatics Centre. 28 March 2006. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  49. ^ "Bill No. XLIX of 2011: The Nalanda University Bill, 2010". Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 September 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  50. ^ "The Nalanda University Bill, 2010". PRS Legislative Research. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  51. ^ "Nalanda University Act, 2010" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 October 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  52. ^ "Governance at Nalanda University". nalandauniv.edu.in. Archived from the original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  53. ^ "Modi govt does not want me to continue as Nalanda University chancellor: Amartya Sen". The Times of India. Press Trust of India. 20 February 2015. Archived from the original on 20 February 2015.
  54. ^ "Dr. Amartya Sen's letter to Board members of Nalanda University". The Hindu. 19 February 2015. Archived from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  55. ^ Ganapathy, Nirmala (25 November 2016). "Singapore's former foreign minister George Yeo resigns as chancellor of India's Nalanda University". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  56. ^ "Nalanda University's 'autonomy hit', chancellor George Yeo quits". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 26 November 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  57. ^ "Founder of Indian supercomputing Dr Bhatkar appointed new VC Nalanda University". The Indian Express. IANS. 28 January 2017. Archived from the original on 28 January 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  58. ^ "The Seven schools of Nalanda University". Archived from the original on 31 January 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  59. ^ "Translation of Prime Minister's Statement at BIMSTEC Plenary Session (August 30, 2018)". Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  60. ^ "School of Languages and Literature - Nalanda University". 31 July 2021. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.

Further reading

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