Nalanda University campus

The Nalanda University is looking beyond non-ASEAN countries, including US and Russia, to boost its image as an international centre of excellence.

Apart from signing understandings with Bhutan and Bangladesh, two non-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, the institution is eyeing tie-ups with the two super powers.

Gopa Sabharwal, the vice-chancellor (VC) of Nalanda University, said: “More and more countries are approaching us to become partners in the project. It would strengthen the university internationally.”

Last year, during former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Brunei at the Asean-India Summit and East Asia Summit, India signed agreements with seven countries. Memoranda of understanding were signed with Australia, Cambodia, Singapore, Brunei, New Zealand, Lao and Myanmar.

As the East Asia Summit countries also include US and Russia, the university hopes that in the coming days, these two nations would come together to boost the Nalanda University project. Sabharwal said: “As US and Russia are members of the East Asia Summit countries, we hope they become partners in the international project.”

During President Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to Bhutan this month, the two countries inked a deal to develop the university as an international centre of excellence. In September, during external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Dhaka, Bangladesh, too, signed an understanding to develop the institution. Bangladesh was the first non-ASEAN country to have a tie-up with the Indian government to develop the Nalanda University.

She added: “If more countries become partners, it would strengthen the project, apart from helping us get more funds and academic tie-ups.”

A source said China had already committed $1 million for the project, while Singapore had pledged $5 million. Australia has vowed to provide around 1 million Australian dollars. In a reciprocating gesture, India would provide appropriate visa to students, faculty and others for travelling to India to study or work at the university.

The VC said once India starts providing visa to overseas students, more foreign students would aspire to pursue higher education in India. There would also be an exchange of faculty members with leading universities of those nations.

The ASEAN countries include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.