VARANASI: India’s ambassador to Bulgaria, Sh. Sanjay Rana, today called on Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sudhir Kumar Jain. Ways to enhance Banaras Hindu University’s engagement and collaboration with leading Bulgarian universities and educational institutions was discussed at length during the meeting. Ambassador Sanjay 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. Mr. Rana stated that Indology is an area which attracts a fair amount of curiosity and keenness in that country. This is where Banaras Hindu University can play a significant role as it is an institution of a high repute when it comes to offering authentic knowledge on Indology, said Mr. Rana. He informed that Sofia University, a leading institution of Bulgaria, already has a department on Indology.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sudhir Kumar Jain said that Banaras Hindu University 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 Vice-Chancellor reiterated the need to make such programs sustainable in order to ensure long term benefits. He said that Banaras Hindu University will be happy to host experts and academics from leading Bulgarian educational institutions. The Vice-Chancellor also suggested exploring the possibilities of developing the Visiting Students Program which allows students from Bulgaria to pursue short term programs in BHU and vice versa.
Prof. Anand Wardhan Sharma, Director, UGC-Human Resource Development Centre, BHU, was also present during the meeting.
