New chapter: Nalanda University

The wait is finally over. Nalanda University has announced the admission for its two-year masters degree programmes — School of Ecology and Environment Studies and School of Historical Studies.

Interested students can apply online from May 19 till June 30.

Nalanda University vice-chancellor Gopa Sabharwal told The Telegraph: “Keeping the university’s commitment to sustainability, the entire application process for admission is paperless and students can apply online only.” They can download the application form from www.nalandauniversity.edu.in.

Vice-chancellor Sabharwal on Monday said the university was all set to start classes by August, while it would complete recruiting teachers by the end of May. Sabharwal said: “To impart the best learning process, each school would have six to seven teachers with a student intake of 20.”

Classes would be held at Nalanda University office in Rajgir, while the university had hired some blocks of Tathagat Hotel in Rajgir for students’ accommodation.The tuition fees would be Rs 3,00,000 per annum, while other fees and administrative charges would be Rs 75,000 yearly.”

For admission, students from Indian universities must have completed a three-year bachelors degree with first-class i.e. 60 per cent marks from a central university or 65 per cent marks from other varsities. If students from foreign universities want to apply, another factor would come into play. If the university uses a grade-point average (GPA) scale system, then the applicant must have obtained or would be expected to obtain a GPA of at least 3.5 or above on a 4-point scale. English proficiency is must for all candidates.

Applicants must demonstrate a high level of competence in English, as all the courses would be conducted in the language.

Students must be able to demonstrate that they are able to communicate in English at a level suitable to the graduate programme. For this, graduates from non-Indian universities must have scores of one of the accepted English language tests (TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC), while for Indian students, he or she must have completed their undergraduate education in English as the medium of instruction and examination. After submission, the application forms would be scrutinised for academic qualification, relevant professional or other experience.

Proficiency in English, academic references and written statement of purpose would be assessed. Based on the scrutiny of applications, the university would start admission process on July 8, while the classes are likely to start by August.

The School of Historical Studies and School of Ecology and Environmental Studies would be the two courses. The former would develop strong world and Asian history programmes. It is uniquely poised to study the histories of different Asian and non-Asian regions. Its students would acquire a broad knowledge of global history with specialisation in comparative or trans-regional history.

The school of Ecology and Environment Studies is to foster research in local, regional and global environment issues. The key focal areas of the school would be human ecology, hydrology, disaster management, agriculture and food, climate change and energy studies. Nalanda University would have a live laboratory for research and innovation in ecology and environment studies, co-creating knowledge to benefit the local communities.