Trying to revive old tradition of Nalanda debates, says Nalanda University VC Sachin Chaturvedi, ETEducation
Sachin Chaturvedi joined as VC of Nalanda University in May. A reputable economist, he was earlier associated with the think-tank Research and Information System for Developing Countries. He tells TOI about plans for the global university
What’s Nalanda University’s vision?
Ancient Nalanda engaged intellectually with Asian wisdom and traditions. First, we are trying to revive that old knowledge with emphasis on modern instruments like Act East Asia policy, East Asia Summits, Asean etc. Second, we are trying to revive the old tradition of Nalanda debates, where it brings in experiential learning and insight. Traditionally, Nalanda taught five subjects: logic, linguistics, philosophy, mathematics, and social connect through villages. We will make this the core foundation of education at Nalanda. Third is bridging the gap between natural sciences and social sciences. The fragmentation between natural and social sciences was created by the Western education system. Now, the West is realising its mistake.
Does Nalanda have a social vision?
The social vision is to connect with the villages around our campus. We are sending students and faculty members to engage with them through a programme called ‘ Sahbhagita ’. You still find a village called Pathharkatti, which used to supply stones to Nalanda. And you find Deepgaon, which used to supply the lamps. In return, scholars used to offer them spiritual and intellectual guidance. Reconnecting with its predecessor, this is how I see the new Nalanda as a different university. Nalanda is governed by an act of Parliament, it is not under the Union ministry of education and the UGC frameworks don’t apply. So, we have the scope to evolve a new trajectory that’s more global in character.
What is a big highlight of Nalanda?
Our international character. Around 70% of students are from other countries. Applications came from 47 countries, we could select students from only 21 countries.
There are many visiting profs and few permanent faculty…
I agree, we need more full-time faculty. We have only 23 permanent faculty members on campus. Fortunately, the govt has already approved 140 positions for recruitment. Another key feature of Nalanda is interdisciplinarity. Visiting faculty bring in diverse disciplinary expertise. Like natural and social sciences, we are also trying to bridge the gap between ecology and management.
What about the library, which the old Nalanda was famous for?
It is well known that every book in the library was burnt down in the 12th century. Fortunately, with a generous grant from the foreign ministry, we are building a new library. The PM may inaugurate it. We are equipping it with new books, research journals and old manuscripts. Teams are going to Southeast Asia, Central Asia and Far East to get digital manuscripts or the originals. Colleagues have also travelled within the country. We want to use AI for this. We are also launching the Nalanda University Press.
A plaque near the university gate says this is a net-zero campus…
On Oct 2 this year, we stopped entry of all fossil fuel vehicles into the campus. Nalanda University is probably the best-looking campus in India. It is also the only net-zero campus in the country as PM Narendra Modi himself declared. We have also distributed 100 cycles to girl students on the campus.
There’s an initiative called LEAP…
The idea is to ‘Learn, Earn and Perform (LEAP)’. Through this, we are engaging students in various activities and encouraging them to earn during their spare time. LEAP fellows will receive between Rs 5,000 and Rs 30,000, depending on their contribution. Our annual report this year, for instance, was designed by four LEAP fellows. We have created a new placement cell. We are trying to connect with major companies that are in the sustainability business.
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