It’s a common, disheartening observation: big universities across Asia were (and continue to be) built and inaugurated in the name of Christianity, Islam Hinduism – while the silence from the Buddhist end is deafening. Buddhism was born in India and the Buddha spent his entire life there, but until recently there was no higher education institution named after the Buddha. Gautam Buddha University in Uttar Pradesh aims to match the prestige of Indian institutes like Varanasi Hindu University and Aligarh Muslim University. The institute is now inviting applications for admission to its undergraduate and postgraduate courses for the 2014-15 academic year.
Gautam Buddha University’s mission is to change this by, like all good universities, providing an academic environment that opens up opportunities for society’s marginalized and underprivileged. The University exemplifies the value of the Buddha’s teachings and modern education.
Gautam Buddha University is located at Gautam Buddha Nagar of the town of Grator Noida. It was established in 2002 on 511 acres of land. Ms. Mayawati, who served for four terms as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, presided over the inauguration and dedication of the university to the people on August 23, 2008. Ms. Mayawati says that she was motivated by the Buddha's teachings and Dr. Ambedkar's vision of a platform for social change to improve the welfare of Dalits, the weakest community in Indian society. In the welcome address, Prof. R.S. Norjar, who was Vice-Chancellor of the University, stated: “The Gautam Buddha University is the gift of Ms. Mayawati to education world [sic] which is her vision and dream.”
Ms. Mayawati said, “This University would have collaboration with universities in USA and Europe. I had dreamt of this university six years back [2002]. During SP govt. regime [the administration of the Samajwadi Party] the project was dumped and the land had become barren... Education should be kept above politics... after BSP came to power, we have speeded up the implementation of this project.” She also stated “Fifty per cent of students belonging to SC [scheduled castes], minorities and poor families of upper castes would be sent to foreign universities for studies. The entire cost would be borne by the state government. At a later stage they can contribute towards the development of the society.”
The first academic session commenced in August 2008. The School of Management runs courses in human resources, strategic management, marketing and retail management. The University also introduced schools in Information and Communication Technology, Engineering, Humanities and Buddhist Studies, Bio Technology and a School of Law. It is also the only university in India which offers a PhD in vocational studies, covering disciplines in hospitality and tourism, business administration, retail and commercial services and media and design.
Being named after Gautam Buddha, the university also promotes the value of the Buddha's teachings. Dr. J.P. Sharma, Vice-Chancellor of the university, says: “The approach of our programmes is secular, egalitarian, and critical, relying on the Buddhist philosophy and its applicability in restoring supremacy of peace, co-existence, and development of totality...”
The School of Buddhist Studies and Civilization organizes postgraduate and doctoral programs in the Buddhist teachings and their history. The research carried out at this school reinforces respect for the Buddhist tradition and appreciation for its compassionate values of profound spiritual emancipation, together with its diverse philosophy and ethics. It is hoped that a meaningful inclusion of Buddhist values will distinguish the University from other religiously informed institutes, while its quality, rigorous curricula will help it match those very same schools.
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