After row, government defends Nalanda University rejig

New Delhi: Less than a week after former foreign affairs minister of Singapore George Yeo— the second Chancellor of Nalanda University after Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen——-resigned from the post saying the varsity’s autonomy was being affected, the government on Thursday justified its decision of forming a new governing board.

It said, “This the first time since the Act was passed that a governing board has been properly constituted as per its provisions.” Pointing out that the Indian Government has “great respect for Mr George Yeo, and for his contributions to Nalanda University”, New Delhi said, “these decisions were taken so that for the first time, the University would be in full compliance with the legal regime under which it was created”.

On Thursday, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said, “A proposal for revival of the Nalanda University was initiated by the government in 2007 and the Nalanda Mentor Group (NMG) was formed for taking forward the proposal. Subsequently, the Nalanda University Act 2010 was passed by the Parliament, which came into force in November that year. Initially, the NMG, formed in 2007, was meant to discharge the functions of the governing board, pending formation of a proper governing board according to the provisions of the Act. As the Mentor Group had been functioning for 9 years and the Act provided for three year tenure for members, it was decided to constitute the Board in accordance with the Nalanda Act. The last time the Mentor Group’s tenure was extended was on Nov 25, 2013 making it three years since then. On November 21, the President of India, in his capacity as the Visitor of the Nalanda University approved the constitution of the governing board of the University in accordance with section 7 of the Nalanda University Act, 2010. Let me emphasise that this the first time since the Act was passed that a governing board has been properly constituted as per its provisions. The details of the members of the board are already available to you.”

It added, “Finally, the President has also approved that upon completion of the extended term of the current vice chancellor, which expires on November 24, 2016, and in the absence of a new vice chancellor, the senior-most Dean may be appointed to discharge the duties of the vice chancellor until the new vice chancellor is appointed.”