The Lumbini Buddhist University is attracting increasing numbers of foreign students to study Buddhist philosophy and related subjects, the university has stated.
The university has been running educational programs focused on Buddhist philosophy in Lumbini and practical Buddhism in Butwal and Devdaha. Foreign students have been enrolled at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels.
Students from countries including China, India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Myanmar, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan and others are studying at the university. The largest number of students are from China. The attraction of foreign students has been seen in subjects including Buddhism and Nepal Studies, Buddhism and Peace, Buddhism and the Himalayas.
Dr. Manikratna Shakya, Dean of the Faculty of Buddhist Studies at Lumbini Buddhist University, said that foreign students have been enrolled from undergraduate to graduate levels. "We are committed to providing quality education, which is why foreign students have trusted our university," he said.
There are currently 157 foreign students studying at the university. Foreign students have also applied for the new undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. A total of 3,000 students are studying at the university.
Lumbini Buddhist certificate recognized by the Chinese government
The Chinese Ministry of Education has decided to recognize the certificates of Lumbini Buddhist University. The Scholars Exchange Service Center under the Chinese Ministry of Education has listed the degrees obtained by students from Lumbini Buddhist University as being recognized.
Dr. Kumar Khadka, Director of the School of Development Studies and Applied Science, said that the number of foreign students will increase with the decision to recognize university degrees in China. "Chinese students were worried about whether their certificates would be recognized or not, but now that problem has been resolved," he said.
The university has set a target of teaching 16,000 foreign students by implementing the educational master plan in Devdaha. The university has stated that the plan is in the implementation phase. The university is also constructing a hostel for the convenience of foreign students. It is expected that more students will increase after this infrastructure.
The university has collaborated with nearly 80 international organizations to expand its relations. Under the same collaboration, students studying at Lumbini Buddhist University have gone to some schools in China for a semester exchange. 64 students have completed the exchange program and received their degrees. Only a short while ago, 48 students had obtained full scholarships to study at universities in China.
