The aim of the promoters is to revive the spirit and guiding philosophy that sustained the erstwhile University for over 800 years. As the oldest known centre of learning worldwide, the university remains a byword for international harmony, peace and tolerance and now a global university combining ancient thought with modern scientific learning is envisaged.
First Award | RTFA 2014 Awards
Category: Institutional Concept
Participant Name: Viral Bhavsar
Country: United Kingdom
In seeking to build afresh on the legacy of the ancient University, there is a chance to be as creative as the original and create – once again – a teaching, learning, living experience. The University is a non-state, non-profit, secular, self governing international institution with a continental focus that will bring together the brightest and most dedicated students from countries across the world, irrespective of gender, caste, creed, disability or socio-economic background.
The aim is to enable each student to acquire a liberal and humanistic education by giving them the means needed for the pursuit of intellectual, philosophical, historical and spiritual studies and thus achieve qualities of tolerance and accommodation.
The university campus is envisaged to be fully residential with housing facilities for all the students, faculties and non-teaching staff and will be developed in phases. When fully developed, it will cater tentatively to about 2500 students, 500 teachers and as many members of the non-academic staff of different grades. The total population of the campus is expected to be around 7,000. The university proposes to have seven distinct schools of learning, out of which two will be established in the initial phase. As a fully residential campus housing for both students, and staff is to be incorporated alongside visitor accommodation and full amenities.
The proposed university campus, while being modern and state-of-the-art will also undeniably follow the path of sustainability while being comfortable and efficient for the occupants and visitors alike. Sustainability and environmental sensitivity will be emphasized at all levels. It will, further, exemplify rational approaches to construction of a new campus in pristine rural setting with the stunning Hills in the background. It is recalled that the original University remained an active and important centre for learning for almost 800 years, certainly an example in sustainability. The proposed University will not only revive the ‘spirit’ of the old university but also be established in a manner which is socially, environmentally and economically sustainable.
As an integral part of the approach to which the University is committed, the development will consciously ‘walk’ the path of Net Zero or Near Zero Environmental Impact. The ultimate aim is to achieve a campus that is Net Zero Energy, Net Zero Emission, Net Zero Waste and Net Zero Water. The term Net-Zero or Near Zero is based on a long term approach and qualified by assessment of life-cycle costs, related environmental and social benefits in making informed decisions.
