Nalanda University (NU) has entered into an understanding with the Singapore government to set up its central library on its main campus at Rajgir. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this regard was signed at Rajgir on Monday.

While NU vice-chancellor Gopa Sabharwal signed the MoU on behalf of the university, the executive director of RSP Architects Planners and Engineers Private Limited, Liu Thai Ker, signed the document on behalf of the Singapore government.

According to the MoU, the Singapore government would provide $10 million to set up this state-of-the-art library. The library will be centrally located.

A senior official of NU, preferring anonymity, said: "The signing of MoU between the two sides is a step forward towards the construction of the new campus at Rajgir."

Spread across 455 acres, the construction of the campus gained momentum last month after the university floated an open tender for its phase first phase. Vastu Shilpa, an architectural consultancy firm, has prepared the design of the upcoming seat of learning, while Mecon India Limited (Ranchi) has been selected as the project management consultant of the new campus.

Sources said all tendering processes have to be completed by October 25 after which the work order of the new campus will be given to the selected construction company.

The university is presently functioning from the premises of a primary health centre and field research centre near the Rajgir bus stand. The transit campus is spread over an area of 4 acres.

The senior official said many more countries have promised to provide funds and would come forward to sign MoUs in future. According to sources, China has already committed to provide $1 million for the project, while Australia has promised to provide another 1 million Australian dollars (roughly US$7,22,470).

Also, reaching out to non-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, Nalanda University had signed MoUs with Bhutan and Bangladesh governments last year.

Sources said once the construction work of the new campus starts, the university will launch its third school - School of Buddhist Studies, Comparative Religions and Philosophy from next year. Presently, the university runs two schools -School of Historical Studies and School of Ecology & Ecology & Environment Studies.

Nalanda University, which started functioning last year, has started attracting students, with the varsity admitting 49 students this year, a jump from 15 admissions last year.