- Nalanda University inaugurated a new Centre to promote India-ASEAN academic research, policy collaboration, and cultural exchange.
- The Centre, launched following PM Modi’s ASEAN-India Summit 2025 announcement, will focus on 10 interdisciplinary research areas including climate change, trade, public health, and digital cooperation.
- It aims to provide global exposure to students and scholars through collaborations, exchange programs, and internships, strengthening India’s Act East Policy and regional partnerships.
Nalanda University has taken a significant step forward in advancing India-ASEAN relations with the inauguration of a new Centre dedicated to fostering academic research, policy collaboration, and cultural exchange between India and Southeast Asia. The Centre was officially inaugurated by P. Kumaran, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, in a ceremony attended by ambassadors, high commissioners, representatives from partner countries, vice chancellors, and faculty members, underscoring the international importance of this initiative.
The launch of this Centre follows the announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ASEAN-India Summit 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, reflecting India’s commitment to strengthening its ties with Southeast Asian nations. The Centre aims to serve as a dynamic hub for knowledge development, operating under the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Plan of Action 2026-2030.
It will focus on ten interdisciplinary research areas, ranging from climate change and maritime studies to trade, public health, digital cooperation, migration, cultural heritage, and international relations. By doing so, it seeks to provide cutting-edge research that can inform policy decisions and contribute meaningfully to regional cooperation.
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Beyond its research mandate, the Centre will offer students and scholars unprecedented opportunities for global engagement. Collaborations with foreign universities, exchange programs, and internships are expected to provide students with broader international exposure, enabling them to gain a deeper understanding of global issues and enhancing their academic and professional prospects. This aligns seamlessly with India’s Act East Policy, reinforcing the country’s strategic and educational outreach in Southeast Asia.
The Centre also positions Nalanda University as a significant global education hub. By combining rigorous academic research with real-world policy application, it will act as a bridge connecting India with Southeast Asia, fostering cultural dialogue, historical understanding, and long-term partnerships. For students, researchers, and policymakers alike, this initiative opens doors to a vibrant international community, offering a platform where knowledge, culture, and policy intersect to shape the future of regional collaboration.
This development represents not only a milestone in India-ASEAN cooperation but also a transformative opportunity for Nalanda University to elevate its role as a global center of learning and innovation.
