Nalanda University to rise from ashes

Indian academics have long dreamt of resurrecting Nalanda University, one of the world's oldest seats of learning which has lain in ruins for 800 years since being razed by foreign invaders.

Now the chance of intellectual life returning to Nalanda has come one step closer after the parliament in New Delhi last month passed a bill approving plans to re-build the campus as a symbol of India's global ambitions.

Historians believe that the university, in the eastern state of Bihar, once catered for 10,000 students and scholars from across Asia, studying subjects ranging from science and philosophy to literature and mathematics.

Founded in the third century, it gained an international reputation before being sacked by Turkic soldiers and its vast library burnt down in 1193 -- when Oxford University was only just coming into existence.

Piles of red bricks and some marble carvings are all that remain at the site, 55 miles (90 kilometres) from Bihar's state capital of Patna.

Full report here AFP

Upper House OKs bill for Nalanda univ

After a well-informed debate over three hours, erudite in parts, Rajya Sabha on Saturday passed the Bill to establish the transnational university at Nalanda in Bihar with the hope that it will become "an icon of Asian renaissance", much like the famous seat of learning in ancient India.

Junior external affairs Preneet Kaur, who introduced the Bill in Rajya Sabha, said the Nalanda University would be established as a non-State, non-profit, secular and self-governing international institute with a continental focus.

With the support of 16 countries in East Asia, India aims to resurrect the ancient seat of Buddhist learning at its original site in Rajgir to attract students and faculty from across South and South-East Asia. The Bihar government, on its part, has already acquired 446 acres of land for the new Nalanda University.

Full report here Times of India 

Nalanda University will take time to materialise

The grand vision of resurrecting the ancient international glories of Nalanda University may take some time to fulfil as ambitions are being tailored to current financial limitations, admitted Amartya Sen, chairman of the Nalanda Mentor Group. The Group concluded its two-day meeting here on Tuesday, having worked on a blueprint to set up the international venture.

The first big step toward making the dream a reality is likely to be taken this week, when the Nalanda University Bill, approved by the Union Cabinet last month, is introduced in Parliament. However, Dr. Sen admitted that the University would be starting relatively small, and the growth could be relatively slow. “The building work will begin as soon as the Bill passes…I should imagine that within a couple of years, there will be buildings and we will begin faculty appointments. You must understand that a university takes a long time to establish.”

Answering a question of the international nature of the student body, Dr. Sen said that while the University was committed to a globally diverse population, it would be “feasible when the funding comes up.”

Full report here Hindu

Nalanda University finally takes shape

The countdown for the revival of the long awaited Nalanda University, once considered to be the most coveted university in the world is finally about to get over.

The Law Ministry vetted the Nalalanda University Bill, which is now expected to be tabled in the Parliament in this session.

With former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam as its honorary Visiting Rector, the university is expected to have seven schools and tie-ups with international varsities, while Dr. Gopa Sabharwal will be the inaugural Rector.

The university is likely to adopt the seal of the ancient Buddhist varsity as its emblem.

Full report here IndiaEdunews