New Vice-Chancellor of Nalanda University Aims to Transform it into a Liberal Varsity

The newly appointed chancellor of Nalanda University computer scientist Dr. Vijay Bhatkar said that he wants to transform the University into a liberal varsity.

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, in his capacity, as the visitor of Nalanda University appointed seventy-year Padma Shree and Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. Vijay Bhatkar as the Chancellor of the University. He will assume office for a period of three years after the appointment.

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In an interaction with the media, he said that he is happy for being chosen to lead one of the oldest varsities of the country, that was once the centre for knowledge seekers from rest of the world. During those times, people from many countries like Tibet, China, Japan, Korea and Mongolia used to visit Takshashila and Nalanda universities. He was of the opinion that now, it must aim at creating such an environment such that people from developed countries like US and UK come to the country.

He was quite aware of the past controversies of Nalanda University and he would like work on his vision and lead the university to a new height of glory. He further said that his goal would be to find out the possibilities and challenges and to overcome them. He would not blame anyone for the deterioration of the education system in the country rather would like to see how he can contribute to making it better.

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Bhatkar also termed India as the most civilised country in the world as it was the first knowledge-based civilisation of the world. Philosophy as a subject is not found in Indian campuses and the same subject is the fundamental subject in advanced universities in other countries. He further said that he wants to create a beautiful synthesis of spirituality and science.