Nalanda: The ancient Nalanda University, which attracted students from all over the world, started functioning from today with two schools, 15 students and 11 faculty members at its newly established campus at Rajgir in Nalanda district.
Vice Chancellor of Nalanda University Goppa Sabharwal said that the formal inauguration is expected to be in mid September.
She said the university will eventually have 7 schools, all for Post Graduate, Doctoral students offering courses in Science, Philosophy and Spirituality and Social Sciences.
Over 1000 students from 40 countries have sought admission in Nalanda University but 15 students have been selected. Of them one is from Japan and one from Bhutan.
Vice Chancellor told that the selection process is still under way and more students will be enrolled in September.
Today's event also marked the fruition of the idea proposed by former President APJ Abdul Kalam while addressing a joint session of Bihar Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council way back in 2006.
Sabharwal said there were two reasons for starting on a small note as she wanted the students and teachers to settle down and that Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj would be visiting on September 14.
Established in the 5th Century during the Gupta dynasty, the ancient Nalanda University was once flocked by Scholars and thinkers from across the world.
It was destroyed after the invasion of Turkish army of Bakhtiyar Khilji. The revived Nalanda University came into existence by the Nalanda University Act 2010, passed by the Parliament.
Singapore, China and Thailand have also contributed into its revival.
The Nalanda University campus will be spread over 455 acres and its construction is underway around 12 km from the site of the ancient university. Rajgir is the second most popular place for Buddhist pilgrims to Bihar after Bodh Gaya.
