Reviving the World's oldest university!

Recently the Bihar government presented a Bill for the revival of Nalanda International University at Nalanda, Bihar. It's a commendable step and we should laud the government with a thumping desk to start the process of the revival of this International University which was known as the ancient seat of learning from 427CE till 1197CE. This university in it's heyday attracted 10,000 students and 2,000 scholars from Korea, Japan, China, Tibet, Indonesia, Persia and Turkey, besides being a pedestal of higher education in India,it produced great scientists in the past, Aryabhatt(a great Mallu scientist of ancient India)was one of them who came to Bihar at the age of 13 and become Vice chancellor of the University. Though it was devoted to Buddhist studies, the varsity also trained students in subjects like fine arts, medicine and mathematics.

In the post independence era, talks were going on for the revival of this university and the demand was started in early 1990s but it took serious turn when the then President of India, Dr. Abul Kalam suggested to revive this university while addressing both the houses of Bihar Assembly. This gave impetus to the process and became an eye opener for the Bihar government.
As per the reports, Japan and Singapore have shown interest in investing about ($100 million) in the university. Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has offered to donate Buddhist artifacts to the proposed university.

A high-level international team of consultants is going to be formed for the establishment of the International University. In the initial phase, Nobel laureate Prof. Amartya Sen(Professor at London School of Economics) & member of the House of Lords, Lord Meghnad Desai have agreed to be part of an international group of consultants. The state government is also in the process of roping experts from Singapore and Japan and other countries for the revival of this unique university.
The report states that in its first phase, the university will offer only post-graduate, research, doctoral and post-doctoral degrees. However, the report -prepared by the Educational Consultants of India, a consulting company under the union ministry of human resource development is also in favor of offering undergraduate courses in specific areas.

The university will impart courses in science, philosophy and spiritualism along with other subjects. 1,137 students from both India and abroad will be enrolled in the first year. By the fifth year, the number will go up to 4,530 and in the second phase, student enrolment will increase to 5,812.
The university, spread over a 500 acres, will have a 1:10 faculty-student ratio.
The University of Nalanda Bill, 2007, states that the international university would strive to create a world free of war, terror and violence.
We do hope this University will be the center of excellence, will gather students from all over the world in all areas of life sciences and physical sciences including arts, culture and spiritualism which is the backbone of India.
Source: Patna daily.
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