Former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo appointed as Chancellor of Nalanda University

Former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo was appointed as the new Chancellor of the Nalanda University, Bihar.

Ministry of External Affairs announced his appointed for the post on 30 May 2015.

Yeo will succeed Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, who withdrew his candidature for a second term as Chancellor of the Nalanda University in February 2015.

Till this announcement, Yeo was on the governing board of the University. Till this announcement, Yeo was on the governing board of the University. At present, he is the Chair of the International Advisory Panel of the NU Governing Board (GB).

Earlier, Governing Board of the university during its meet in May 2015 unanimously proposed that the Chancellorship of the University should be offered to George Yeo. The meet was presided by the present Chancellor Professor Amartya Sen.

In 2012, 60-year-old Yeo was conferred with the Padma Bhusan award (the third highest civilian award of India) in recognition of his contribution in the field of public affairs.

Nalanda University
The ancient Nalanda University that functioned between 413 AD and 1193 AD was internationally known as a centre of learning. The university, which was destroyed in the 12th century by an invading Turkish army attracted research scholars from all over the world.

Former President APJ Andul Kalam in 2006 mooted an idea to revive Nalanda University. Later in 2010, the idea was approved by an Act of Parliament. The University threw its door open for students in September 2014 in which only 15 students were selected from over 1000 applicants.

Now get latest Current Affairs on mobile, Download # 1  Current Affairs App