To attract students, including international pupils from Far East and Southeast Asia, thegovernment is planning to establish a Buddhist University atNagarjunasagar, about 165 km from Hyderabad, in Nalgonda. This will be the first university in south India and unique in terms of courses being proposed.
The State Government has already developed Bhuddavanam in a sprawling 274 acre at Nagarjunasagar and part of the land, about 40 to 60 acre, would be allocated for the university. Nagarjunasagar has been chosen for setting up the university as first Buddhist philosopher and monk, Acharya Nagarjuna, lived at Nagarjunasagar and preached Mahayana.
He said as many as 68 subjects (themes) Buddhist culture, architecture, literature and other subjects such as medicine, paintings, Philosophy, hospitality, martial arts, engineering, administration, management and technology at the time of Buddha will be taught. A Malaysian group has come forward to develop the university as the owner of the group is a follower of Acharya Nagarjuna. The firm is also setting up a Food Processing Industry at Siddipet.