Nalanda University to build closer ties with Peking University

On 18 October, Chancellor George Yeo met Peking University's vice president Li Yansong to discuss ways to build closer cooperation between the two universities. Governing Board Member of Nalanda University, Professor Wang Bangwei, who is a professor at Peking University, was also a part of the meeting.

Nalanda University already has links with the Peking University but the two universities are now in talks to start a centre focused on Asian Studies located at Nalanda University among other closer collaborations.

Commenting on this development chancellor Yeo said, "We hope that through greater collaboration with Beijing University, Nalanda University can help build greater understanding between two ancient civilizations."

Nalanda University based in Rajgir, Bihar was established by an Act of Parliament in 2010 and is designated as an "Institution of National Importance". Nalanda is a stand-alone international university unlike any other established in the country and is supported by several East Asia Summit countries.

The university admitted its first batch of students in the School of Ecology and Environment Studies and the School of Historical Studies in 2014. It plans to start "The School of Buddhist Studies, Comparative Religion and Philosophy" in 2016.