South Asian University

South Asian University (SAU) is an international university sponsored by the eight Member States of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The eight countries are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The university started admitting students in 2010 at a temporary campus at Akbar Bhawan, India. Since February 2023, the University is running on its permanent campus at Maidan Garhi in South Delhi, India,[1] next to Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).[2]

South Asian University
MottoKnowledge without borders
TypeInternational university
Established2010 (2010)
PresidentRanjan K. Mohanty (acting)
Students600+
Location
New Delhi
,
India

28.37°N 73.43°E / 28.37; 73.43
CampusUrban
AffiliationsRecognised by all SAARC Countries
Websitesau.int

The first academic session of the university started in August 2010, with two post-graduate academic programmes in Economics and Computer Science. As of 2023, SAU offered Master's and MPhil/PhD programs in Applied Mathematics, Biotechnology, Computer Science, Economics, International Relations, Legal Studies and Sociology.[3] The degrees of the university are recognized by all the member nations of the SAARC according to an inter-governmental agreement signed by the foreign ministers of the eight SAARC member states.

South Asian University predominantly attracts students from the eight SAARC countries, although students from other continents also attend. There is a country quota system for the admission of students. SAU conducts admission tests annually at various centres in eight countries.

History

At the 13th SAARC Summit held in Dhaka in November 2005, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh proposed the establishment of a South Asian University to provide world-class facilities and professional faculty to students and researchers from SAARC member countries.[2] The "Inter-governmental Agreement for the Establishment of the South Asian University" was signed at the 14th SAARC Summit. The SAARC member states also decided that the university would be established in India.[2] Professor G.K. Chadha, Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council member and former vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, was formally appointed the CEO of the project and first President.[4]

India provides the majority of funds, around US$239.93 million, for the foundation of the University, which is around 79 per cent of the total cost of the full establishment of the University until 2014. As of 2018, Pakistan has cleared most of its dues payable.[5]

Proposed campus
3D projection of South Asian University's proposed campus at Maidan Garhi, New Delhi

The proposed campus of South Asian University is coming up at Maidan Garhi, adjacent to IGNOU and Asola Wildlife Sanctuary. The Master Layout Plan of this 100-acre campus has been prepared and almost all statutory approvals/clearances have been obtained. The campus will house faculty buildings, hostels, playgrounds, residential apartments and a club. The construction was expected to be completed by 2020.

Organization and administration
Prof. G. K. Chadha Library, part of the university

The founding President of the university, G. K. Chadha, died on 1 March 2014.[6] On 3 November 2014, Dr. Kavita Sharma took charge as the President of the university.[7] She retired in November 2019.[8] A.V.S. Ramesh Chandra was appointed as acting President. He was followed by Ranjan Kumar Mohanty, who is the current acting President.[8]

The decision-making bodies of South Asian University comprise the Governing Board,[9] the Executive Council, the Academic Council, and the Finance Committee.

Protests
Students on joint India and Pakistan Independence Day Celebration

In 2022, SAU came under serious scrutiny, and the administration was severely criticized for not helping the students, increasingly reducing their stipend and arbitrarily suspending students on account of peaceful protests.[10]

References
  1. Roy, Shubhajit (4 April 2010). "India-Pak visa row casts shadow on PM's dream project". The Indian Express.
  2. "India to give 240-mn dollars for South Asian University". Thaindian News. ANI. 2 July 2009. Archived from the original on 6 August 2018.
  3. "SAU Annual Report 2012" (PDF). SAU. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  4. "South Asian University dream to turn real by 2010". Thaindian News. 26 May 2008. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016.
  5. Vishnoi, Anubhuti (4 June 2018). "Pakistan clears 94% of South Asian University dues". The Economic Times. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  6. "Renowned Academician G K Chadha passes away in New Delhi". Biharprabha News. IANS. 2 March 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  7. "New President SAU". eKantipur Kathmandu Post. 7 November 2014. Archived from the original on 14 January 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  8. Bhattacherjee, Kallol (19 January 2022). "South Asian University remains without president". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  9. "SAU GB". SAARC Secretariat. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  10. "South Asian University Student, Protesting for Higher Stipend, Suffers Seizure". The Quint. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
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