Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :
(a) whether the Government has made any contribution in the construction and functioning of the South Asian University;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of the benefits India is likely to get from it along with the objectives and the location of the said University?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) & (b) India is committed to bear 100% of the capital cost towards establishment of the South Asian University. It started functioning from its present temporary campus in August 2010. An amount of Rs. 88.39 crores excluding rentals for the present temporary premises of the university has been paid so far on account of the capital cost in periodical tranches. An additional amount of Rs. 65.08 crores has been paid on account of acquisition of land for construction of permanent campus of the University in New Delhi.
As per the funding mechanism of the university, India has made its assessed contribution of Rs. 139.53 crores on account of operational cost of the university during the period 2010-2015.
(c) At the 13th SAARC Summit (Dhaka, November, 2005), India had proposed establishment of the South Asian University to provide world-class facilities and professional faculty to students and researchers from SAARC countries and become a forum for working together in the service of human advancement.
The Inter-Governmental Agreement for establishment of the South Asian University was signed at the 14th SAARC Summit (April 2008). It was agreed by the SAARC Member Countries that the University will be located in the National Capital Region of India. It is the first international university of its kind established in India.