Nalanda University to start academic session from 2009

New Delhi, Jan 9 (UNI) The Nalanda International University would start an academic session from next year, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said here today.

Mr Kumar met former President APJ Abdul Kalam, who has been nominated the Visitor of the University, in this regard. During the two-hour long meeting the Chief Minister discussed with Dr Kalam the details of the ambitious academic project under which the ancient site of learning would be revived at a cost of Rs 700 crore.

The Chief Minister told reporters here that Dr Kalam would visit Patna on February 8 and would then go to Nalanda, Rajgir and Bodhgaya. Only after discussing with acadmecians and bureaucrats would he finalise a broad outline of the academic curriculum and how and when to start the academic session, he said.

An advisory board headed by Dr Y S Rajan, former advisor to Dr Kalam, has been appointed for the University. Five hundred acre land has been aquired for the purpose. However, another 500 acre of land is needed for the project.

The Chief Minister also met Mauritius Prime Minister Naveen Chandra Ramgoolam this morning. Mr Ramgoolam would go to Patna on February 17-18 and unveil the statue of his father, Sir Shivsagar Ramgoolam. He will also visit his ancestral village in Chhapra district, Mr Kumar said.

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