Lending support for India's ambitious Nalanda University project, six countries on Thursday began the process of signing inter-government agreements to pledge their commitment for this academic institution.
Addressing the East Asia Summit (EAS) here, where these MoUs are being signed, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also expressed his gratitude to the countries supporting the project.
"I would like to thank the East Asia Summit participating countries for their support for the establishment of Nalanda University as an international institution of excellence."
"I am happy that the process of signing the inter- governmental Memorandum of Understanding on the Nalanda University has begun. Academic sessions at the university are set to begin next year. I hope students and faculty from all EAS countries will participate in this exciting venture," he said.
The countries which are signing these MoUs here include Australia, Cambodia, Singapore, Brunei, New Zealand and Lao PDR. These agreements are key to India's plans to establish Nalanda University as an institution of international repute.
Prime Minister had arrived here on October 9 to participate in the ASEAN-India Summit and the East Asia Summit (EAS), which is a forum for cooperation between various countries of this region with ASEAN and includes Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the US, in addition to the ten ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) countries.
The 10 ASEAN nations are Brunei, Combodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The university is being built near the ruins of the historic academic place by the same name in Bihar and those involved with this project include Nobel laureate Amartya Sen.
The idea to revive Nalanda university was first mooted in 2005 by then President APJ Abdul Kalam.
Asked about the project, official sources said that it is making good progress and at least six countries are expected to sign an inter-governmental agreement here tomorrow for this university.
"It is for the first time that such an agreement is being signed here at EAS," they said, while adding that there will be five representatives from the EAS on the Nalanda University governing board.
According to sources, China has already committed USD one million for the project, Singapore has pledged USD 5-6 million, Australia about USD one million Australia dollar and all these funds have been committed on voluntary basis.
Addressing the East Asia Summit (EAS) here, where these MoUs are being signed, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also expressed his gratitude to the countries supporting the project.
"I would like to thank the East Asia Summit participating countries for their support for the establishment of Nalanda University as an international institution of excellence."
"I am happy that the process of signing the inter- governmental Memorandum of Understanding on the Nalanda University has begun. Academic sessions at the university are set to begin next year. I hope students and faculty from all EAS countries will participate in this exciting venture," he said.
The countries which are signing these MoUs here include Australia, Cambodia, Singapore, Brunei, New Zealand and Lao PDR. These agreements are key to India's plans to establish Nalanda University as an institution of international repute.
Prime Minister had arrived here on October 9 to participate in the ASEAN-India Summit and the East Asia Summit (EAS), which is a forum for cooperation between various countries of this region with ASEAN and includes Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the US, in addition to the ten ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) countries.
The 10 ASEAN nations are Brunei, Combodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The university is being built near the ruins of the historic academic place by the same name in Bihar and those involved with this project include Nobel laureate Amartya Sen.
The idea to revive Nalanda university was first mooted in 2005 by then President APJ Abdul Kalam.
Asked about the project, official sources said that it is making good progress and at least six countries are expected to sign an inter-governmental agreement here tomorrow for this university.
"It is for the first time that such an agreement is being signed here at EAS," they said, while adding that there will be five representatives from the EAS on the Nalanda University governing board.
According to sources, China has already committed USD one million for the project, Singapore has pledged USD 5-6 million, Australia about USD one million Australia dollar and all these funds have been committed on voluntary basis.
