Nalanda University, named after the ancient seat of learning that drew scholars from far and wide around 1600 years ago, has taken a giant leap forward with its state-of-the-art Net Zero campus. This sprawling campus is a testament to India’s quest to reclaim its ancient glory as a global knowledge centre.
Prime Minister Modi Inaugurates Nalanda University New Campus
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his satisfaction with the university’s progress, noting that the institution now has around 500 regular students from 20 countries. “Nationality was not a criterion for admission in the ancient Nalanda, and the new Nalanda will also develop on similar lines,” he said during the inauguration of the campus.
A Modern Campus with Ancient Flair
Although the university moved to its new under-construction campus in 2020, the major infrastructure work has been a significant endeavor. Initially planned for inauguration by the PM in 2022, the event was postponed but finally realized in the PM’s third term.
The campus, now 90% complete, boasts 24 large buildings with a modern library and a 2000-capacity auditorium still under construction. The design beautifully integrates the essence of ancient Nalanda with contemporary facilities.
Academic Excellence and Global Reach
Since its humble beginnings on September 1, 2014, at the International Convention Centre in Rajgir, just 10 kms from the ancient Nalanda ruins (a UN heritage site since 2016), the university has grown significantly. Today, it offers six schools: Buddhist Studies, Philosophy & Comparative Religions; Historical Studies; Ecology and Environmental Studies; and Sustainable Development and Management.
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It also provides 137 scholarships for international students, drawing scholars from diverse countries such as Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Liberia, Myanmar, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, the Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, the USA, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.
Sustainable Development and Innovation
Nalanda University’s first phase of construction includes academic and administration buildings, residential facilities for faculty, staff, and students, amenities buildings, a campus Inn, and the international centre. The campus is designed with a focus on sustainability, incorporating water bodies and lakes for rainwater collection and distribution, internal roads, walkways, and landscapes.
All constructions adhere to green building certifications by GRIHA, emphasizing net zero energy, water, and waste management strategies. The innovative technologies for desiccant evaporative (DEVAP) cooling further highlight the university’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
A Collaborative Global Effort
Nalanda University collaborates with 17 nations, including Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam, with more collaborations anticipated in the near future.
Challenges and Aspirations
The biggest challenge for Nalanda University is to meet the high expectations set by its illustrious predecessor, which once hosted 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers from around the world. Destroyed in the 12th century by Bakhtiar Khilji, the ancient university was considered the world’s first residential university. Today, the new Nalanda University aims to re-establish India as the global knowledge centre it once was, fulfilling its mission to become a powerful nation in the realm of education and research.
Stay tuned for more updates on Nalanda University and its journey to becoming a beacon of knowledge and learning for the world.
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