‘No quota, no compromise on quality of education’

The Nalanda University will not implement reservation for Indians or foreign nationals, but it is deeply committed to equity, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen said here on Sunday.

“We have a deep commitment to equity, to get students from backgrounds, where they don’t get an opportunity for higher education. The University’s process is geared towards it. There will be no quota for different countries. We are guided by equity and there will be no compromise on quality of education,” Mr. Sen, the University’s Chancellor, said at a press conference after a meeting of the Governing Board.

A high-power selection panel is currently screening applications for faculty members. So far the University has received 500 applications, including about 22 per cent from foreign nationals, Sugata Bose, part of the Board, said.

The varsity plans to begin course this September for the School of Historical Studies and the School of Ecology and Environment Studies.

A total of 20 faculty members, 10 for each school will be recruited from the 500 applications.

The process of student enrolment was expected to start by March end, Vice-Chancellor Gopa Sabharwal said.

While building of the physical infrastructure for the University was still to get a head start, classes would be held in the seminar halls of the Rajgir Convention Centre in Nalanda. Two floors of the State owned Tathagat Vihar hotel would serve as a hostel for students, Ms. Sabharwal said.

On Monday, the first meeting of the International Advisory Panel will be held in Rajgir, Nalanda district. The meeting will be attended by several foreign dignitaries, including the former Foreign Minister of Singapore George Yeo and Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.