Academic activities began at Nalanda University at Rajgir on Monday, more than eight centuries after the ancient university was destroyed by a medieval ruler.
Out of the 15 students enrolled in the university so far, nine attended classes on the inaugural day in the departments of environmental studies and history, the two subjects which will be taught here in the first session.
The students were welcomed by vice-chancellor Gopa Sabharwal, who also greeted the teachers and staff to the reborn university amidst enthusiasm by those present at the occasion.
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The students who attended the inaugural classes were Arun Gandhi, Lubna Khan, Ranjit Kumar, Jyotimoy Kandula, Nawang (Bhutan), Asi Alawat, Yakiro Nakamora (Japan), Daniel and Sanah Salah.
The six teachers were Mihir Dev (Delhi), Somnath Bandopadhyaya (Delhi), Samuel Wright (California), Yin Ker (Malaysia), Kashyap Ghani (Kolkata) and Shrawan Mukherji (Kolkata), university sources said.
Talking to reporters, Ms. Sabharwal said the resumption of classes at the ancient educational institute was the result of nine years of hard work and hoped it will grow from strength to strength.
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Asked about the enrolment of very few students, she said it was due to the lack of publicity about the international university.