Ancient Legacy Meets Modernity: New Nalanda University Campus Inaugurated
In a landmark event for the Indian education sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Nalanda University campus in Rajgir, Bihar, on June 19, 2024. This event is not only significant for its immediate impact on higher education but also for its deep historical resonance. Nalanda University, originally established approximately 1,600 years ago, was a global hub of knowledge and learning, attracting scholars from around the world. Today, the new campus aims to revive this prestigious legacy, bridging the ancient and the modern. Read more, IIT Guwahati climbs to 344th place in QS World University Ranking in 2025
A Historical Reconnection
In his speech, Prime Minister Modi underlined the historical importance of this occasion by saying, “Nalanda has a great link with our proud history. Youth educational requirements will undoubtedly be well served by this institution.” Located next to the historic Nalanda ruins, which have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2016, this modern campus represents a revival of the knowledge and cultural exchange philosophy of the old institution
State-of-the-Art Infrastructure
Across an amazing 455 acres, the new Nalanda University campus combines contemporary amenities with classic architectural features. Features of note consist of:
Two Academic Buildings: Designed to support engaging and all-encompassing learning experiences, they have forty classrooms with a total seating capacity of around 1,900 students. Two 300-seat auditoriums are available for use as seminar, conference, and cultural event venues.
Student Hostel: Enough space for around 550 students guarantees a cosy living quarters, which is necessary for a busy school life. Large parties and events are perfect for the 2,000-person amphitheatre.
Sports Complex: This building supports intellectual as well as physical health. The faculty club and international centre are two resources that help the university’s inclusive and global mission. Building these facilities is an indication of a dedication to providing a comprehensive learning environment that promotes intellectual, cultural, and physical growth.
Prestigious Ceremony and Global Presence
Diplomats from 17 partner nations as well as Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar attended the inaugural event. In highlighting the importance of the Prime Minister’s attendance, Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Abhay Kumar Singh referred to it as a “prestigious and auspicious occasion.” With 26 nations represented among its varied international student population, the event highlighted Nalanda University’s prominence and worldwide renown.
Revival of an Ancient Legacy
The new campus is the result of initiatives that were started in 2007 at the behest of then-president APJ Abdul Kalam. The university became a national institution in 2010 when the Indian government helped to secure land and a special Act of Parliament was passed. With only 14 students at a temporary site, operations started in 2014, and in 2017 work on the permanent campus in Pilkhi village began.
Academic Excellence and Global Collaboration
These days, Nalanda University provides a large selection of academic courses, including short-term certificate courses and postgraduate and doctorate research courses. Offering 137 scholarships, the university is renowned for providing significant assistance to overseas students. The university’s partnerships with 17 countries—Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, and the USA—have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to support its activities and further strengthen its international stature.
A Vision for the Future
Reviving its great educational legacy while embracing modernity is symbolized by the new Nalanda University campus. Like its historic forebear, the institution is positioned to become a major hub of learning and cross-cultural communication. Professionals looking for further study and students getting ready for competitive examinations will find Nalanda University to be a special combination of historical renown and modern brilliance.
With its inauguration, the institution promises to respect a tradition that has influenced intellectual history worldwide while inspiring and educating the next generations. With its cutting-edge facilities and concentration on all-encompassing education, the new Nalanda University is destined to become a knowledge lighthouse and a monument to the never-ending spirit of learning.
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