Another Lifetime: Nalanda University Is Reborn

Another Lifetime: Nalanda University Is Reborn

Nalanda University in the Indian state of Bihar has finally opened its doors to students after 800 years. This ancient international university was so well known for its education that well-known scholars from all over the world would come to study here. China's Buddhist monk Xuanzang studied at this university around 1,400 years ago. China's Global Times has reported how the university in India has started functioning again due to funding from numerous Asian nations including China.

The ancient university has commenced with its first academic session on the 1st of September with around 11 faculty members and 15 students. More than 1,000 applications were received from students from over 40 nations including US, Russia and Germany for this year. According to the VC of this university, Gopa Sabhrawal, students are still being selected for the course, as per reports from TOI. By the year 2020, the university is planning to have around 7 schools offering courses in a vast number of fields such as philosophy, spirituality, science and social sciences. The courses will be for post-graduate and doctoral students.

Along with 18 other countries, India had initiated the revival of this ancient Indian university as per the East Asia Summit. China had pledged around USD 1 million while Singapore committed around USD 5 million, Australia having pledged USD 930,000. Nalanda University was born in the 5th century and great monks from the Tang Dynasty such as Xuanzang studied here during the 7th century. The university met its destruction in 1193 CE following an attack by Muslim general Bakhtiyar Khilji. The destruction of this university is seen to be the chief reason behind the decline of Buddhism as well as education and research in India. Many ancient texts were destroyed when Nalanda University was reduced to ashes by the Muslim general.

But much like a phoenix, the University has emerged again to enrich and enlighten students in diverse fields. Nalanda University is currently located in Bihar's Rajgir district and its students attended 4 sessions on the first day from 9 am to 1:30 pm. "The students had a chance to explore the neighbourhood during their three-day orientation programme earlier," vice-chancellor Gopa Sabharwal was quoted by the media as saying. The first batch of the university is known as the 'Nalanda Pioneers'.

Among those who congratulated the university on its rebirth included Amartya Sen, Wang Bangwei, N. K. Singh, Wang Gungwu, Anil Wadhwa and George Yoo.

Currently, Nalanda University has 2 of the 7 planned schools operating namely Ecology and Environmental Studies as well as Historical Studies. Apart from faculty from foreign nations, there are als international students from countries such as Japan and Bhutan.

Nalanda University's School of Ecology and Environment Studies associate professor Somnath Bandyopadhyay was quoted by the media as saying "A combined class was held on Monday morning for the students where they were told about our focus on interdisciplinary learning." He added that "The students are a major resource for the institution and are bringing their experiences along with them and we will work together for the benefit of mankind. The two-year master's programme is a semester system and credit-based programme which has a foundation course, core courses and an essential research project.”