BHU VC, India’s ambassador to Bulgaria discuss university's collaboration with Bulgarian universities

NEW DELHI: India’s ambassador to Bulgaria, Sanjay Rana, today called on Banaras Hindu University (BHU) vice-chancellor Professor Sudhir Kumar Jain. The two discussed ways to enhance BHU’s engagement and collaboration with leading Bulgarian universities and educational institutions during the meeting. Professor Anand Wardhan Sharma, Director, UGC-Human Resource Development Centre, BHU, was also present during the meeting.

Rana said that there is a keenness in Bulgaria to learn more about India and to know the country better. He said that people are very interested in enhancing their knowledge about Indian culture, civilization, art and philosophy. He stated that Indology is an area which attracts a fair amount of curiosity and keenness in that country. This is where BHU can play a significant role as it is an institution of a high repute when it comes to offering authentic knowledge on Indology, he said. He informed that Sofia University in Bulgaria, already has a department on Indology.

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Jain said that BHU is looking to collaborate with international institutions with an aim to create new opportunities for its students and faculty members. “BHU offers education and research in diverse disciplines ranging from ancient Indian knowledge to modern sciences. We would like to indulge in mutually beneficial arrangements with Bulgarian universities”, he said.

The ambassador said that a number of cultural exchange activities are taking place between India and Bulgaria. This provides an opportunity to BHU to be part of it and benefit its students and teachers.

The VC reiterated the need to make such programmes sustainable in order to ensure long term benefits. He said that BHU will be happy to host experts and academics from leading Bulgarian educational institutions. The VC also suggested exploring the possibilities of developing the visiting students programme which allows students from Bulgaria to pursue short term programmes in BHU and vice versa.