Sikkim to establish new Buddhist university in accordance with National Education Policy guidelines

Gangtok: The Northeastern state of Sikkim is all set to have a Buddhist University -- named Khangchendzonga Buddhist University (KBU), it will become the first private Buddhist university in India and the first university in Sikkim to be founded by the Sikkimese people.

A bill in this regard was passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly 21 September to establish a Buddhist university in the northeastern Indian state. Interestingly, the session of the Legislative Assembly, which also passed eight other bills, was limited to a single session due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prem Singh Tamang, expressing gratitude to the members of the Legislative Assembly for passing the KBU bill, said: "This is a fulfillment of the SKM [Sikkim Krantikari Morcha] Party's manifesto to build a Buddhist university in Sikkim and will place Sikkim prominently on the map of higher education in India and the world."

Tamang in his release also stated that KBU would advance Buddhism in Sikkim and the world, and offer "innovative models of education and offer cutting-edge vocational programs with a broad-based foundation in liberal arts so that students of the lower and lower-middle class can be prepared for rewarding careers in India and outside."

Buddhism is one of the primary religions followed in the Himalayan state. A recent census shows that 57.8 percent ]of the population follow Hinduism, with Buddhists accounting for 27.4 percent and Christians 9.9 percent. Vajrayana Buddhism plays a significant role in Sikkim's public life.

Education Minister Kunga Nima Lepcha, who introduced the KBU bill in the Legislative Assembly, said the new university would promote knowledge, understanding, and development in all members of the community.

As per reports, this upcoming university is to be modeled on the guidelines laid out by the National Education Policy in India and is to help the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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