Bhutan and India Sign MoU on Collaboration In Developing Nalanda University

Bhutan and India Sign MoU on Collaboration In Developing Nalanda University As An International Centre of Excellence

India and Bhutan have recently signed an agreement for collaboration on “noble objectives” for establishing the Nalanda University in Bihar as a centre of excellence on a global scale. An MoU or Memorandum of Understanding was signed in this regard following talks between India's President Pranab Mukherjee and Bhutanese premier King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. As per the MoU signed by foreign secretary Sujatha Singh and her counterpart from Bhutan, Yeshey Dorji, efforts will be made to develop the Nalanda University as a global centre of excellence. The Nalanda University is located in Rajgir, Bihar and it has the power to confer degrees, certificates and diplomas.

The MoU stressess that the objectives and functions of Nalanda University includes the establishment "of an international institution of learning that will bring together the brightest and the most dedicated students from all countries irrespective of gender, caste, creed, disability, ethnicity or socio-economic background."

"To build an Asian community of learning where the intellectual potential of every student can be developed to the fullest extent possible and to create an Asian community strengthening regional awareness," the MoU also stated. As per the MoU, India will also provide visa for students, faculty as well as staff to travel to India for work or study purposes in the university. Funding and establishment of operations of the university will remain on voluntary basis. The MoU for the establishment of the university had come into force on October 10, 2013 while the 8th East Asia Summit was on in Brunei.

A total of 4 MoUs were signed in the field of education by the 2 neighbouring countries. The first MoU on education is concerned with the establishment of the Nalanda University in Bihar. Bhutan is the second nation other than the process of the East Asia Summit to be part of this international collaboration. The second MoU was signed between the Royal University of Bhutan and the English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad for academic cooperation in the field of English language teaching in Bhutan. A third MoU was signed between the Royal University of Bhutan and the National Innovation Foundation of India for mutual collaboration as well as exchange of expertise as well as ideas. The fourth and final MoU was signed between the Royal Civil Services Commission of Bhutan and the IIM or Indian Institute of Management, Ahemdabad for training programmes and capacity building of officials of the two nations.

Apart from these MoUs, the Indian president also launched an upgradation project for the dual laning of the East-West Highway in Bhutan to be constructed at an estimated cost of INR 463.65 crores. Cooperation in the field of hydropower was mutually beneficial for the countries, leaders of both the nations agreed in the context of 3 ongoing hydropower projects under the intergovernmental model and existing commitments to the 10,000 MW initiative. The Jigme Wangchuck Power Training Institute was also inaugurated by the Indian president. Friendly bilateral relations between India and Bhutan date back to the year 1949.