the goan I network
PANAJI
The Goa University will soon offer programmes of advanced learning in the Nalanda tradition, Vice-Chancellor of the University Prof Varun Sahni announced on Wednesday at the Kala Academy, while speaking ahead of the lecture given by the Dalai Lama.
Sahni announced that the GU had on Tuesday, December 10, signed an MoU with the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a non-profit organization established with the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the 14th Dalai Lama exactly 30 years ago.
Sahni said that the formal relationship of co-operation and friendship with the Foundation was intended to support the GU in establishing programmes of advanced study in the Nalanda tradition. “Specifically, we have agreed to establish the Dalai Lama chair for Nalanda studies at the GU under the visiting research professors programme,” he added.
Explaining the importance of the Nalanda tradition, Sahni said that for seven centuries, from the 5th century of the Common Era, the Mahavihar at Nalanda was “not only a repository of
ancient wisdom, but also the site of a unique method of teaching-learning that we desperately need in India
today.”