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Nalanda Vice-Chancellor Sets Out Vision for University’s Global Role
Nalanda University is building a large library with books, handwritten works and digital collections.
Its leaders want students to study old Indian writings and ideas alongside modern subjects.
Vice-Chancellor Sachin Chaturvedi says India should describe its approach to diplomacy using ideas from its own history.
The university is also bringing back Shaastrartha, a tradition of structured debate.
It says it welcomes Buddhist, Hindu and Jain traditions.
Students from 36 countries study there, and applicants came from 72 countries.
The university plans to open a press and a centre for peace, tolerance and sustainability.
Chaturvedi says it is taking time to attract students because the campus is in a rural area.
Nalanda University plans a five-storey, stupa-shaped library opening with about 350,000 books, including handwritten works and digitised collections.
Vice-Chancellor Sachin Chaturvedi says India should develop its own language for diplomacy rather than rely on the Western concept of soft power.
The university plans to launch Nalanda University Press with a volume on Shastra and Shaastra, and to revive Shaastrartha, or structured debate.
Nalanda says it supports Buddhist, Hindu and Jain knowledge traditions and has students from 36 countries, with applications from 72.
Chaturvedi says the university is growing but faces challenges attracting students to its rural setting; it ranks among the top six or seven institutions in CUET preferences.
- Who
- Nalanda University Vice-Chancellor Sachin Chaturvedi.
- What
- Chaturvedi discussed the university’s library, research, academic traditions, international role and efforts to attract students.
- Where
- Nalanda University, Bihar, India.
- When
- The interview refers to a planned library inauguration in December and a linguists’ meeting planned for this month; no year is specified.
- Why
- The university aims to develop its research and teaching, promote Indian knowledge traditions and contribute to discussions on diplomacy and global governance.
Key facts
- Planned library
- Five storeys, stupa-shaped, with approximately 350,000 books at the outset.
- Manuscript collection
- About 1,500 to 1,800 volumes of works in Pali, Prakrit, Sanskrit and other languages are to be translated into English.
- Library inauguration
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate it in December; the year is not stated.
- Student representation
- Students from 36 countries study at the university; applications came from 72 countries.
- Student target
- Chaturvedi says the university has met its target of 1,000 students.
- Planned publication
- Nalanda University Press is due to launch with an edited volume on “Shastra and Shaastra,” featuring contributions from 20 foreign-policy experts.
Sources
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