The architects of Nalanda University have aimed to create a symbiotic relationship between the educational institution and the people living in the neighbouring areas.
“Real education comes from real life. There will be no barriers in Nalanda University. Villagers would be free to walk into the campus,” said one of the designers, B.V. Doshi, at a news meet in Patna on Wednesday.
This would be harking back to the ancient university — which is an inspiration for the modern one — when it comprised “well organised lakes and parks… and a remarkable cluster of dormitories,” as described by Nobel Laureate and chairman of university board Amartya Sen on the website of the ambitious institution.
Another designer, Rajeev Kathpalia, made a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the salient features of the architectural designs of the institution.
“Around 70 per cent of the campus space would be used for agricultural research farms. Water tanks — to be used for water harvesting — would be spread over 23 acres,” he said.
Bio-fuel would be used to illuminate the campus at night. The design has followed a net-zero energy consumption model and the university would use water and other resources generated on campus.
“Only battery-powered vehicles would be used on campus for senior citizens and physically challenged persons,” said Kathpalia, adding that students and teachers would be encouraged to walk from one end of the campus to the other.
It would take them around 20 minutes for the pedestrian voyage.
The designers have also started work on detailed drawings of the buildings. Architect Rajiv Kathpalia said designers from the firm selected for the construction, Vastu Shilpa Consultants, have studied the plans of the ancient university. They have accordingly planned to construct a cavernous library that would be able to store 20 lakh books.
The campus would also have de-vapour towers — popular in Japan and US — to keep it cool.
Hostels and accommodation facility for scholars and teachers along with classrooms would be constructed in the first phase.
Jefferey Garten, the former dean of the Yale School of Management, in his article “Really Old School” (New York Times, December 9, 2006) has suggested that the ancient Nalanda University was possibly the first one to have an extensive network of dormitories for students. Amartya Sen quotes him on the website of the modern varsity.
The new accommodation facilities would be expected to match the older ones.
Construction would begin in December this year, said vice-chancellor Gopa Sabharwal. “It is expected to be completed in the next two years.”
The estimated cost of construction would be Rs 500 crore. Centre would provide the funds. Sabharwal also said the selection of the faculty members for the school of environment studies and school of historic studies would start next month. The academic sessions in these two disciplines would begin in late 2014 from a temporary campus provided by the state government in Rajgir.
