Outgoing Nalanda University vice-chancellor Gopa Sabharwal on Thursday handed over charge to Pankaj Mohan, the senior-most dean of the varsity who has been made the in-charge vice-chancellor after President Pranab Mukherjee, as Visitor of the university, on Monday approved the constitution of a new governing board for the institution.
"Working at Nalanda University as vice-chancellor of the institution which was envisaged a decade back was a great experience," Sabharwal told The Telegraph over phone from Rajgir.
She also said that had the government given her some more time, she would have worked more for the university along with starting construction work for the new campus.
While dissolving the old governing board, the President had also overruled its decision to give Sabharwal an extension.
On November 24, 2010, Sabharwal was appointed as the first vice-chancellor of the revived ancient seat of learning that attracted scholars from across the region till it was destroyed by invaders in the 12th century. Sabharwal was appointed for a period of five years as per university statutes. Last year, she got an extension for one more year. It was under her tenure that the university started its academic courses in September 2014 from Rajgir, around 15km from the ruins of the ancient institution and 110km southeast of Patna.
Eleven students - three from the School of Historical Studies and eight from the School of Ecology and Environment Studies - became a part of history by being the first to attend classes at the new university. The university at present has 130 students in three schools, which includes students from 18 nationalities. The School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religions were launched this year. Apart from increase in student's strength, the university faculty strength has also gone up. At present there are 30 faculty members.
Under Sabharwal's tenure, the university also hosted its first convocation on August 27 this year.
Despite all her efforts, the construction work of the new campus, which is coming up on 455 acres of land at Rajgir, is yet to commence.
"My priority will be to carry forward the work initiated by the Nalanda Mentors Group and later by the governing board to make the university one of best universities," new vice-chancellor Pankaj Mohan said from Rajgir. "The focus will also be to work harmoniously with the government so that Nalanda University reaches new heights."
Mohan studied East Asian languages and History at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. Later he studied at Seoul National University in South Korea, Peking University in Beijing and the Australian National University, Canberra, from where he received his PhD degree.
He has published a number books and done series of research works. His current research is focused on "Buddhism, state and society in East Asia and cultural linkages between Korea and India."
On Thursday evening the Nalanda University fraternity organised a farewell event for outgoing VC Sabharwal at the Rajgir International Convention Centre.
