Patna: Nalanda University on Tuesday concluded the fourth meeting of Sahbhagita Samvada at its Rajgir campus, reaffirming its commitment to sustained collaboration with neighbouring schools through dialogue, shared initiatives and community engagement.
The meeting was chaired by the university’s vice-chancellor, Sachin Chaturvedi, and attended by principals and representatives from eight neighbouring schools, including Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar School, Kendriya Vidyalaya, RDH High School and Middle School Jatti.
Addressing participants, vice- chancellor Chaturvedi said collective efforts between the university and schools could help translate the Sahbhagita initiative into meaningful outcomes on the ground. He emphasised that the active involvement of school leaders was essential to ensure that collaborative programmes were both impactful and sustainable.
The vice-chancellor highlighted several ongoing and upcoming initiatives under the Sahbhagita framework, including greater access to the university library for neighbouring schools and the organisation of a sculpture workshop. He also invited participating institutions to engage with the Hindi Conference and the Think Tanks Conference scheduled to be held at Nalanda University from January 9 to 13.
Chaturvedi added that a training programme on record-keeping for teachers and schools would be organised soon, following suggestions from the district education officer.
The district education officer, Anand Vijay, shared inputs on skill development initiatives involving local women associated with Jeevika self-help groups, noting that such efforts could initially support the preparation of school uniforms. He said the education department stood to benefit significantly from these collaborative activities.
During the meeting, a Hindi newsletter titled Sahbhagita Samvada Samachar was formally launched. The inaugural edition documents joint activities undertaken by Nalanda University and neighbouring schools and was distributed to all participants. The first issue featured Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar School, with plans to highlight other schools in future editions.
School representatives welcomed the initiative and shared feedback on its impact. Rajiv Ranjan, principal of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar School, said students were developing strong debating skills through their engagement with the programme. The principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya noted that new learnings had helped make their campus plastic-free and encouraged rainwater harvesting, while the principal of Middle School, Mahadevpur, described the initiative as motivating for students eager to visit the university.
Pranshu Samdarshi, Sahbhagita coordinator, said several new engagements were planned in the coming months. He also noted that local students would be welcome to join yoga sessions on campus, following suggestions aimed at promoting reading habits among students.
Faculty members presented research and fieldwork being conducted in five villages under the Sahbhagita programme. Women from local villages associated with self-help groups were also present, reflecting the initiative’s community-oriented approach.
The meeting concluded with the vice-chancellor inviting schools to upcoming university events, followed by a group photograph in front of the Sushma Swaraj Auditorium.
