Bihar's foreign student enrolment soars

Patna: Bihar is experiencing a resurgence of sorts in attracting a sizable number of foreign scholars to its higher education institutions. The revival of the ancient Nalanda University and the establishment of new national-level institutions in recent years have significantly transformed the educational landscape of the state.According to the enrolment figures received from some premier higher education institutions of the state, more than 2,500 scholars from foreign countries are pursuing their studies at present.Just a decade back, this figure was hardly in double digit.The revival of the ancient learning centre, Nalanda University, has played a key role in attracting foreign scholars, said a senior official of the state’s higher education department.The new, eco-friendly campus continues the legacy of the 5th-century ancient university, which was the world’s first residential university, by promoting cross-cultural learning and hosting scholars from across Asia, including China, Japan, and Southeast Asia.The modern international university, established in 2010 near the original ancient site, operates as a research-intensive institution, with nearly 50% of its students coming from various countries, creating a diverse and vibrant campus. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new, net-zero campus in June 2024.The international student community at Nalanda represents more than 30 countries, including the USA, Argentina, Cambodia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Congo, South Sudan, Thailand, Vietnam, Zimbabwe and Uganda. For the academic year 2025-26, the university had admitted more than 700 scholars from foreign countries, said university sources.At another institute located at Nalanda, the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, about 100 students from different countries have been admitted in the current batch. Most of them coming from Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam are pursuing academic programmes in Pali and Buddhist studies, said registrar Meeta.Other national-level institutes like IIM-Bodh Gaya, IIT-Patna, NIT-Patna, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, and Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, have also been attracting foreign scholars.These institutions are strengthening international partnerships for academic studies and research in line with the provisions of the National Education Policy, 2020.Moreover, under the recently launched “Saat Nischay-3” initiative of the state govt, Bihar is embarking on a massive expansion, with plans to establish new degree colleges in 213 blocks out of 534, aiming for operations to begin by July this year. Besides, altogether 55 old and prestigious institutions are also being developed into centres of excellence to enhance quality of education and attract scholars from other countries, said education department officials.