Rajgir, Nalanda | 23 January 2026:
In a moment that bridged centuries of shared wisdom, Nalanda University welcomed a distinguished delegation from Dongguk University, Republic of Korea, marking a landmark chapter in transnational academic and cultural collaboration. Rooted in the timeless Buddhist legacy that once connected India and Korea through pilgrimage, scholarship, and spiritual exchange, the engagement reaffirmed Nalanda’s historic role as a global meeting ground of ideas and signalled a renewed commitment to shaping the future of Buddhist studies, intercivilisational dialogue, and knowledge-led cooperation.

The 52-member delegation was led by Venerable Donkwan, Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Dongguk University Foundation, and Prof. Jaewoong Yun, President, Dongguk University. The visit unfolded through a thoughtfully curated programme that blended academic dialogue, cultural exchange, and strategic deliberations on future-oriented cooperation.

The visit commenced with the inauguration of a Thangka painting and Buddhist artefacts exhibition, inaugurated by Venerable Donkwan. The exhibition featured exquisite works created by Korean monk Bhikshu Dovung, who was personally present on the occasion, lending a living spiritual and artistic dimension to the event.
Welcoming the delegation, the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of Nalanda University, Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, highlighted Nalanda’s contemporary academic vision and its renewed role as a global centre for inter-civilisational dialogue. He underlined the importance of strengthening cooperation in key areas of mutual academic interest, including Buddhist pilgrimage studies, Buddhist philosophy, ethics in trade practices, global dialogue on conservation of culture, the Sustainable Development Goals, and contemporary global issues.
The visit was organised around two parallel sessions. A high-level Roundtable Discussion brought together senior leadership, deans, and faculty members to deliberate on institutional collaboration, joint research initiatives, faculty and student exchange programmes, and long-term academic cooperation. In parallel, a Cultural and Academic Exchange Session at the Sushma Swaraj Auditorium featured Buddhavacana chanting by international students, presentations on Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Rajgir, and a vibrant interaction between students and delegates.
Building upon the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nalanda University and Dongguk University, both sides agreed to initiate structured faculty and student exchange programmes, including yearly faculty exchanges, joint research projects, and the organisation of an annual international conference to be hosted alternately in India and Korea.
During the discussions, Prof. Jaewoong Yun formally invited Nalanda University to participate in Dongguk University’s 120th Anniversary Celebrations in Seoul on 7 May 2026. The invitation was graciously accepted by Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, marking another milestone in the growing partnership between the two institutions.
The visit concluded with a shared resolve to translate dialogue into sustained academic collaboration, and to deepen cooperation in the fields of education, Buddhist studies, culture, sustainability, and interdisciplinary research.
As the delegation departed, the campus echoed the enduring spirit of Nalanda’s ancient legacy—where dialogue, learning, and friendship across borders continue to shape the future of global scholarship.