IN SHORT
1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Nalanda University campus in Rajgir, Bihar.
2. The event was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Governor Rajendra V Arlekar, and ambassadors from 17 nations.
3. The new campus is a collaborative effort between India and East Asia Summit (EAS) nations.
4. Features include modern academic buildings, auditoriums, hostels, and sustainable green campus facilities.
5. The original Nalanda University was a historic center of learning dating back to the 5th century AD.
6. Nalanda University currently offers courses through five schools and plans to expand further.
7. The revival of the university follows legislative efforts beginning in 2006 and the Nalanda University Act of 2010.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new campus of NALANDA University in Rajgir, Bihar. This significant event was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Governor Rajendra V Arlekar, and ambassadors from 17 nations. The new campus represents a revival of the ancient Nalanda University, which dates back to the 5th century AD and was one of the earliest residential universities in the world.
Modern Campus with Historical Significance
The nations of the East Asia Summit (EAS) and India partnered on developing the new Nalanda University campus, which has the following features:
- Academic Buildings: Two structures with 40 classrooms each that can hold 1,900 students in total. These structures have modern amenities to support the creation of an ideal atmosphere for learning.
- Auditoriums: Two 300-seat auditoriums are available for use as venues for academic and cultural activities.
- Student Hostel: A hostel that can accommodate 550 students and offers a cozy living environment for the diverse student body at the institution.
- International Center and Sports facility: The campus offers a well-rounded educational experience with its international center, faculty club, 2,000-seat amphitheater, and sports facility.
- Features that Promote Sustainable Development: The campus is planned as a “Net Zero” green campus, including solar and 100 acres of water-based bodies, water treatment plants, and other environmentally conscious elements.
Courses and Expansion
The School of Historical Studies, the School of Ecology and Environmental Studies, the School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy, and Comparative Religion, the School of Languages and Literature/Humanities, and the School of Management Studies are the current five schools that make up Nalanda University. The School of International Relations and Peace Studies, the School of Information Sciences and Technology, and the School of Business Management (Public Policy and Development Studies) are the three new schools that the university plans to open progressively.
Legislative Backing
Former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam originally suggested the rebirth of Nalanda University in 2006. A bill for building the new university was passed by the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 2007, and the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha later approved the Nalanda University Bill, 2010. On September 21, 2010, the measure was formally signed into law by the president. The institution opened for business on November 25, 2010.
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