Narendra Modi Inaugurates New Campus of Nalanda University in Bihar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurates New Campus of Nalanda University in Rajgir

Rajgir, Bihar — In a historic event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University in Rajgir, Bihar, on Wednesday. The inauguration marks a significant milestone for the university, which is located near the ancient ruins of the original Nalanda University. The ancient institution was a renowned center of learning established in the fifth century and thrived for 800 years before being destroyed in the 12th century.

Reviving Ancient Glory

The modern Nalanda University was re-established through the Nalanda University Act, 2010, which followed a decision made at the second East Asia Summit in the Philippines in 2007. The university began operations in 2014 from a temporary location with 14 students, and construction of the new campus started in 2017. The new campus aims to revive the ancient glory of Nalanda, making it a global center for education and research once again.

Diverse Academic Programs

Today, Nalanda University hosts six schools:

• The School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy & Comparative Religions
• The School of Historical Studies
• The School of Ecology and Environmental Studies
• The School of Sustainable Development and Management

These schools offer a diverse range of programs aimed at fostering intellectual growth and addressing contemporary global challenges.

A Global Educational Hub

Nalanda University has garnered international support from 17 countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Indonesia, and Thailand, which have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the university. The institution offers 137 scholarships to international students, reinforcing its status as a global educational hub.

For the academic years 2022-24 and 2023-25, and the PhD program for 2023-27, the university has enrolled international students from countries such as Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ghana, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, the USA, and Zimbabwe.

Promoting International Collaboration

In his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the significance of Nalanda University’s new campus in promoting international collaboration and academic excellence. He expressed hope that the university would continue to attract scholars from around the world, fostering a spirit of global learning and cooperation.

With its modern facilities and diverse academic programs, the new campus of Nalanda University is set to become a beacon of knowledge and innovation, carrying forward the legacy of one of the world’s oldest universities.

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