Nalanda Diary

International Engagements with Republic of Korea, Strengthening Academic & Cultural Ties

01 October 2025 | Vice Chancellor Professor Sachin Chaturvedi met senior leadership at Dongguk University to discuss implementation of the existing MoU on student and faculty exchanges. Prof. Chaturvedi also delivered a lecture on “Development Finance, Global Development Compact and Buddhist Philosophy” highlighting Nalanda’s vision of Global South capacity building and Net Zero campus practices. These engagements strengthened India–Korea academic cooperation. Nalanda’s historic Buddhist links were emphasized as a platform for enriched exchanges.

Vice Chancellor’s Address at the 24th International IASSI Conference | Doon University, Uttarakhand

10 October 2025 | VC Professor Sachin Chaturvedi addressed the international conference on the need for integrated approaches combining social, philosophical, economic and natural sciences. He highlighted India’s knowledge systems with a focus on access, equity and gender inclusion. The address reinforced NU’s leadership role in social science discourse. Participants appreciated the holistic perspective rooted in civilizational ethos. The engagement expanded NU’s national academic footprint.

Nalanda University Strengthens Academic Engagements in Portugal

29–31 October 2025 | Nalanda University reinforced its global academic footprint through a series of high-level engagements in Portugal led by its Vice Chancellor, Professor Sachin Chaturvedi. Welcoming the visit, the Ambassador of India to Portugal noted Portugal’s role as a participant country in Nalanda University and expressed optimism about intensifying cooperation with Portuguese institutions.

During the visit, Professor Chaturvedi held substantive discussions at the University of Lisbon with senior leadership, including Prof. João Alfredo dos Reis Peixoto (Vice Rector), Prof. Hermenegildo Fernandes (Dean, FLUL), Prof. Hugo Cardoso (Vice Dean, FLUL) and Prof. Shiv Kumar Singh (Director, Asian & Indian Studies), focusing on student and faculty exchange, Asian studies and collaborative research. Engagements at the Centre for Indian Studies further explored pathways for deepening Indic and Asian scholarship.

At ISCTE University, interactions with Dr. Helena Carreiras (Vice Rector for Internationalization) and Mr. Pedro Seabra advanced dialogue on international and Asian studies. Discussions at the Catholic University of Portugal and the Geographical Society of Lisbon highlighted historic Indo-Portuguese linkages. Collectively, these engagements underscore Nalanda University’s sustained efforts to build meaningful international partnerships.

Nalanda University’s Global Leadership Engagements in Geneva

12–15 November 2025, Geneva | Vice Chancellor Professor Sachin Chaturvedi’s visit to Geneva marked a significant effort in advancing Nalanda University’s international engagement, reinforcing its commitment to global cooperation, capacity building and innovation-led development. During the visit, Prof. Chaturvedi met Dr. Carlos María Correa, Executive Director of the South Centre, where discussions focused on contemporary challenges of the Global South, India’s expanding role in South–South Cooperation, and possibilities for collaborative, policy-oriented research that supports evidence-based decision-making.

Professor Chaturvedi also delivered a lecture at the Third Expert-Level Roundtable on Fostering South–South and Triangular Cooperation for Intellectual Property and Development, organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). He underscored the need for collaborative intellectual property frameworks, equitable access to knowledge, and technology partnerships, advocating a shift “from transfer to co-creation” to strengthen innovation ecosystems across developing countries.

Additionally, meetings with H.E. Mr. David Fernández Puyana (United Nations University for Peace), Mr. Henry L. Deneen (Global Hope Network International and Geneva Institute for Leadership and Public Policy), and Dr. Prashant Sharma (Dharma Alliance, Geneva) highlighted peace studies, Indian ethical traditions, and development challenges in conflict regions. The engagements opened pathways for future institutional collaboration, further positioning Nalanda University as a global hub for dialogue, peace, and sustainable development. Collectively, the Geneva visit underscored Nalanda University’s expanding international footprint and its effort to translate ancient wisdom into contemporary global solutions.