DPM Paudel unveils Devdaha master plan; emphasises Lumbini as education hub

LUMBINI: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Bishnu Prasad Paudel emphasised the need to develop Lumbini as a destination for quality education. He said this while laying the foundation stone for an international hostel and launching the Devdaha Master Plan in Lumbini.

The infrastructure master plan for Devdaha in Rupandehi district was unveiled with an estimated implementation cost of Rs 80 billion. The plan incorporates some 92 bigha of land previously allocated to Lumbini Buddhist University in 2077 BS.

Lumbini Buddhist University intends to build an international hostel at Khadaiya, Rupandehi, at a cost of over Rs 120 million. Construction is expected to take 20 months and, upon completion, accommodate 100 students.

Finance Minister Paudel called on the university to play an active role in enforcing the Devdaha Master Plan, reaffirming the government’s support to enhance its capacity. He directed the administration to brand the institution in the name of Gautam Buddha and to leverage this branding to expand its international presence.

Recalling a signature campaign in 2051 BS demanding the university’s establishment, the deputy prime minister expressed satisfaction with its institutional development, adding that teaching subjects beyond Buddhist philosophy had strengthened the university’s effectiveness.

He expressed confidence that Lumbini Buddhist University could become the country’s leading university and emerge as a global educational destination, but voiced dismay that the Lumbini Development Trust’s master plan, adopted 40 years ago, remains incomplete.

Professor Dr Subarnalal Bajracharya, vice chairperson of Lumbini Buddhist University, said the institution has run various promotional programmes to attract educational tourism to Lumbini, and that the Devdaha Master Plan would advance its academic offerings while promoting the region’s tourism sector.

Dr Tilakram Acharya, the university’s registrar, highlighted Minister Paudel’s continuous support since the university’s inception and anticipated similar backing for the Devdaha Master Plan.

Kalpana Harijan, Deputy Mayor of Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality, described Lumbini Buddhist University as one of the country’s flagship projects and called for special interest and support from the federal government for the overall development of Lumbini.

The university currently has more than 3,000 students, including around 200 international students.

(With inputs from RSS)