The makeshift Nalanda University campus

Patna, Sept. 18: External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj would formally inaugurate the Nalanda University in Rajgir tomorrow in the attendance of the representatives of the seven participating nations in a brief function, a little over a fortnight after its classes started.

Sushma would reach Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport here around 11am and fly to Rajgir in a chopper. After landing at Rajgir Qila Maidan at 12.15pm, she would go to the upcoming Nalanda University campus, around 3.5km from the Maidan. She would take part in a plantation programme on the 452-acre varsity site.

From there, the minister would go to Rajgir International Convention Centre to participate at the inaugural function of Nalanda University. Chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and the dignitaries from the seven participating countries would also be there. Sushma would start for Patna around 3pm.

Syed Akbaruddin, the official spokesperson and the joint secretary at ministry of external affairs ministry, said: “The minister has a busy schedule on Friday because Bangladesh foreign minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali would visit New Delhi the same day.” An official of Nalanda University said: “The Union minister agreed to grace the inaugural function at the convention centre, provided it did not last long.”

A source said the dignitaries from the seven participating countries had given their consent for taking part in the varsity’s inaugural function. Lim ThuanKuan, the high commissioner of Singapore, and Chalit Manityakul, the ambassador of Thailand, are the two senior foreign officials from the respective countries who have agreed to participate in the function. Secretary-level officials would represent Australia, Laos, Vietnam, Germany and Japan at the function at Rajgir International Convention Centre, where the varsity is conducting classes temporarily.

After the main function at the convention centre, visiting dignitaries, along with the varsity’s senior officials, faculty members and students, would have lunch at Hotel Tathagat Vihar, the makeshift hostel of students.

Days after the Nalanda University set sail, South Korea has proposed to install a monument to honour their 8th century travelling monk Hyecho near the institution’s campus. “The South Korea government wants to sign an MoU with us in October to erect a memorial monument for Hyecho near Nalanda University in Rajgir,” industries department principal secretary Naveen Verma told PTI.