Amartya Sen: Nalanda University to start classes in September

Positioned as a global centre of research and teaching excellence, the Nalanda University is all set to start two post-graduate courses – Historical Studies and Ecology and Environment Studies — at its Rajgir campus from September 1 this year. An announcement to this effect will be made at the university’s Governing Board meeting in Delhi on Friday. Amartya Sen Praising Nitish Kumar for the effort his government has put in for making the university a reality, Amartya Sen, who is the Chancellor of the university, told TOI on Thursday, “We have cleared all hurdles and are all set to roll.” Praising Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar for the effort his government has put in for making the university a reality, Amartya Sen, who is the Chancellor of the university, told TOI on Thursday, “We have cleared all hurdles and are all set to roll.” “The Nitish Kumar government has done things with extreme rapidity, at times much faster than the Government of India. Nitish Kumar and Sushil Kumar Modi have been very helpful. The state government has given us land, temporary campus in Rajgir, and is also improving the roads. We have admiration for Nitish Kumar’s commitment and efficiencies,” Sen said. “Nalanda is a classical location. It took us a long time to figure out the modalities negotiating with various government departments. We had a tough time to sort out the budgeting — how and from where the funds will come. I got scared at one stage when the international community impatiently asked me about the university’s progress. It was difficult for me to explain that files need to go from one ministry to another and that takes time. But now we are all set to start classes.” The orientation for the two-year taught master’s programmes will begin end August. The size of the incoming class, to be called “Nalanda Pioneers”, will be small, said Nalanda University vice-chancellor Gopa Sabharwal. “For initial batches, the tuition fee structure is likely to be around Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh. There will be scholarships, too,” she added. The Nobel laureate added, “We would provide high quality education relevant to India and the region. We have an ancestry in Nalanda and very proud of that. A number of very talented student from India and abroad studied there. Chinese scholar Yijing studied public health for 10 years in Nalanda. In fact, the first comparative study of Chinese and Indian medicine in the 7th Century happened in Nalanda. “We are attracting faculty, students, and support staff to Nalanda, considered remote even in India, from across the globe. Nalanda has a unique location, but there will many other distinguishing features of the university, including its curriculum and modes of teaching,” the eminent economist said. Sen is very keen on a School of Public Health in the university and hopes the board will endorse it in its meeting on Friday. Sen will present his arguments for a public health school before the board. “The focus on public health is completely lacking in India. We will have a tie-up with a hospital and a medical college in Bihar for public health education in Nalanda,” Sen said. Source: EDUCATION NEWS