By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, JUNE 30, 2013: THE Union Cabinet last Friday gave its approval to the proposal of signing of a headquarters agreement between the Ministry of External Affairs and Nalanda University. This agreement would confer on the University and members of its academic staff privileges and immunities considered necessary to provide an overall framework for the efficient functioning and operation of the University, and allow it to obtain talent from across the globe. The Agreement will come into force immediately upon signing and notification.

The signing of the headquarters agreement will facilitate hiring of the best academicians from across the world, well before the commencement of the first academic session. Recruitment of the University's faculty cannot take place without fixing their terms and conditions, for which the conclusion of the headquarters agreement is essential.

The University will serve as an international centre of excellence in higher learning. It would integrate modern, scientific and technological knowledge and skills with basic human values and promote universal friendship, peace and prosperity through the spiritual awakening of the individual and society.

The detailed Project Report prepared by EdCIL in July, 2012 has estimated funding requirements of approximately Rs. 3,532.62 crore between 2010-11 and 2021-22. The Government of India will meet the University's expenditure to the extent required. Signing of the headquarters agreement does not involve any additional expenditure.

The following are the salient features of the agreement:-

i) The host country shall take necessary steps to protect the University premises against any intrusion or damage and facilitate the work of the University.

ii) The University, its assets, its income and other property shall be exempt from all direct taxes, customs duties and prohibitions and restrictions on imports and exports for articles imported/exported for its official use.

iii) The Vice-Chancellor and academic staff of the University, who are not from the host country shall be granted exemption from taxation in respect of their salaries, honoraria, allowances and other emoluments; the right to get the appropriate visa; the freedom to maintain moveable and immoveable property while in the employment of the University in the host country, and the right to import free of customs duties, taxes and other levies.

iv) The Vice-Chancellor and academic staff of the host country that is India shall be granted exemption form taxation in respect of salaries, honoraria, allowances and other emoluments in connection with the services provided to the University.

Netizens may recall that at the 4th East Asia Summit (EAS) held in Thailand in October, 2009, member States issued a Joint Press Statement which supported the establishment of Nalanda University as a non-State, non-profit, secular and self-governing international institution with a continental focus, that would bring together the brightest and most dedicated students from all countries of Asia.