Patna, Aug. 27: President Pranab Mukherjee today conferred Master's degree on 12 Nalanda University students at its first convocation, an event he described as a "dream coming true" for him and the country.
"I am privileged to be conferring degrees to the first batch," said Mukherjee, who was external affairs minister during Nalanda University's (NU's) formative years - from 2006 to 2009. "It is like a dream come true for me and my countrymen."
The 12 students who passed out belonged to the School of Historical Studies and School of Ecology and Environment Studies.
Mukherjee, also the Visitor of the university, heaped praise on Nobel laureate Amartya Sen - the first chairman of the university's governing body, who, too, was present on the occasion - over 17 countries involved in the project, the external affairs ministry, which looks after the world class educational institution, the state government and the NU administration for their "valuable contributions".
"The proposal to revive Nalanda University received overwhelming support at the East Asia Summit, and the ministry of external affairs and Government of India worked very hard for it," Mukherjee said. "Nalanda is beyond geographical existence. It reflects an idea that flourished 1,200 years ago. Universities are the best forum for debate and discussion and free exchange of ideas and Nalanda University will carry this tradition forward."
Chief minister Nitish Kumar, who accompanied the President on the dais, promised his continued support to the project. "The state government has extended all cooperation for revival of this ancient seat of learning. The government's cooperation will continue in future." Nitish mentioned external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj's absence and, in a lighter vein, raised questions on delay in construction work at the project site. "It is unfortunate that Sushma Swaraj is not present here. Had she been around, I would have requested her to speed up construction of the university's building, coming up on 455 acres of land," Nitish said. "We acquired 455 acres in 2012 and handed it over to the external affairs ministry. The ministry must begin construction work. The university's development will eventually help develop the local economy."
Chancellor George Yeo speaking said Nalanda University remains an idea of harmony. "The university will lead to establishment of harmonious relationship between man and environment at the global level," Yeo said.
The idea to revive Nalanda University was first mooted in 2006 by then President late APJ Abdul Kalam. At the East Asia Summit in Philippines in 2007, the East Asia Summit (EAS) leaders endorsed the proposal to revive Nalanda University and bring together the brightest minds from all countries in Asia.
Nalanda University was the first of two international institutes of higher education (South Asian University being the other), started by the Manmohan Singh government as part of its foreign policy. Ministry of external affairs looks after both universities.
The President also praised the university administration for focusing on zero energy, zero pollution and its green milieu. The university is also going to use Nalanda bricks - produced from soil compressed at high pressure and using almost half the energy required in making burnt bricks - for construction of its new campus. These bricks would be produced at the university campus and bear its logo too.
"The university started with 12 students and in two years strength has risen to 130 students in three different courses," said vice-chancellor Gopa Sabharwal. "The University family is expanding with 250 people associated now."
Also present on the occasion were deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav, dignitaries from various countries, university officials and senior bureaucrats.
In the evening, the Nalanda University governing board meeting was held where various issues, including the VC's tenure, was discussed. Her tenure is scheduled to end in November.
