PM Modi inaugurates Nalanda University's new campus in Rajgir

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 19 inaugurated the newly constructed campus of Nalanda University in Rajgir, Bihar.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by the presence of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar along with ambassadors from approximately 17 nations.

In a message posted earlier on X (Formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Modi shared his joy regarding the event, stating, "Today, we are inaugurating the new campus of Nalanda University. It is a reiteration of our commitment to encourage learning, research and innovation. It is also an effort to draw the best scholars from the world to come and pursue their education in our country."

The new campus of Nalanda University marks a significant collaborative effort between India and the countries of the East Asia Summit (EAS).

The original Nalanda University, which dates back approximately 1600 years, was one of the first residential universities globally and flourished for centuries before its destruction in the 12th century.

The newly inaugurated campus includes two academic blocks housing 40 classrooms, designed to accommodate around 1900 students.

Additionally, it features two auditoriums, each with a capacity of 300 seats, and student hostels capable of housing approximately 550 students.

The campus is equipped with an international center, an amphitheater with a seating capacity of up to 2000 individuals, a faculty club, a sports complex, and various other facilities.

One of the standout features of the new campus is its 'Net Zero' Green Campus design.

It is equipped with solar power plants, water treatment and recycling facilities, and spans 100 acres of water bodies, alongside various other environmentally sustainable amenities.

Arvind Panagariya, the Chancellor of the new Nalanda University, expressed his delight and optimism about the project, emphasizing the continuity of the ancient university’s spirit.

"This is incredibly significant, we have been waiting for the day. We wanted the PM to inaugurate the campus. He has agreed to do so. I welcome him to the campus. Nalanda University is conceived here, it has been an international university. It was cast in those terms, the project was started with cooperation from more than a dozen countries from Southeast Asia. In the spirit of the ancient Nalanda, it lasted for about 800 years, Europe was not what it is today, the USA didn't exist. The ancient Nalanda attracted students from all over. The new Nalanda has been started with the same spirit but with a modern touch," stated Panagariya.

Nalanda University is structured into six schools, including the School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy & Comparative Religions; the School of Historical Studies; the School of Ecology and Environmental Studies; and the School of Sustainable Development and Management. The institution aims to revive the rich academic legacy of ancient Nalanda, continuing its tradition of excellence.

The university provides 137 scholarships for international students, and its student body includes individuals from diverse countries such as Argentina, Ghana, Indonesia, and the USA. These students are enrolled in postgraduate and PhD programs for the academic years 2022-24, 2023-25, and 2023-27.

The re-establishment of Nalanda University was facilitated by the Nalanda University Act of 2010, following a resolution from the second East Asia Summit in the Philippines in 2007.

The university began its operations in 2014 at a temporary location with an initial cohort of 14 students.

Construction of the new campus commenced in 2017, with substantial international support. Seventeen countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and China, have signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to support the university.

This modern revival of Nalanda University aims to be a beacon of learning, drawing on its ancient heritage while incorporating contemporary educational needs and practices.