Chinese ambassador Zhang Yan presents the cheque for $1 million to Gopa Sabharwal. (PTI)

New Delhi, Nov. 15: Nalanda University today received the first international donation from China and is set to witness similar contributions from a number of countries and agencies.

Chinese ambassador to India Zhang Yan handed over a cheque of US$ 1 million to vice-chancellor-designate Gopa Sabharwal. The money would be spent for the construction of the campus, Sabharwal said.

Sabharwal recalled the ancient link between Nalanda University and China and said the library of the upcoming institution would have a separate section, the architecture of which will be Chinese. She said the varsity would undertake regular consultations with the Chinese government on the design and architecture of proposed section.

“There is an ancient link between Nalanda University and China. The Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao had announced a contribution of US$ 1 million to the university during his visit to India last year. This is the first donation we got today,” she said.

Sabharwal said Thailand has announced a contribution of US$ 1 lakh while Laos will give US$ 50,000. Buddhist organisations in Singapore will give around seven million Singaporean dollars.

The university unveiled its logo at the function. The logo represents harmony between man and nature. It has been designed by Ray and Keshavan from Bangalore.

Sabharwal said a global tender would be floated soon for a design of the campus.

Ambassador Zhang said the Chinese scholars benefited immensely from the ancient Nalanda University. “The ancient Nalanda University is a monumental example of cultural exchanges between India and China. The revival project is also a key cooperative project of the East Asia Summit,” Zhang said.