The ancient Nalanda University, a center of knowledge located in India, had profound impacts not only on the geographical area but also across global knowledge systems. On February 10, a significant discussion was conducted in New Delhi, India to explore the transformative influence of Nalanda and its legacy in the fields of education, philosophy, and spiritual thought. The event, organized in collaboration with India Foundation and India Habitat Centre, featured enlightening contributions from several distinguished discussants. The discussion delved into highlights from Abhay K’s book, “Nalanda: How It Changed the World”, which explores the pivotal role of Nalanda in shaping global knowledge systems, impacting science, mathematics, philosophy, art, architecture, and poetry.
Through a historical lens, the effects of Nalanda were examined, and its relevance in today’s world was emphasized. Notably, this engaging discussion underscored the significance of Nalanda as an institution that profoundly influenced and led to global changes in knowledge systems. The discussion not only highlighted Nalanda’s contributions but also served as a reminder of the enduring legacy left behind. Moreover, there was a concern raised over the recent trend of reducing diversity initiatives in the military, specifically the Army’s decision to abandon recruiting efforts at a prestigious Black engineering event.
This strategic decision was linked to President Donald Trump’s purge of diversity initiatives, leading to concerns about losing access to a crucial pool of highly qualified potential applicants. This stark realization questioned the Army’s long-standing public partnership with the Black Engineer of the Year Awards, an annual conference notable for attracting students, academics, and professionals in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The importance of the event in attracting top talent was underscored, with a recruiting officer describing it as “one of the most talent-dense events [they] do. ” Lastly, the article pays tribute to the stellar achievements of Bahraini students who secured advanced rankings in the 2023 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) assessment. Their remarkable performance was attributed to the ministry’s efforts to enhance mathematics and science education within the STREAM approach. This accomplishment underscored Bahrain’s commitment to excellence in these critical subjects, exemplifying its progress in academic performance on a global scale.
In sum, the article fires from the insights shared in the discussion on Nalanda’s lasting impact, raising concerns over the reduction of diversity initiatives in the military, paying tribute to Bahraini students’ achievements in the TIMSS assessment, and finally concludes with advice on how lessons from Nalanda’s legacy could be applied to shape the future of knowledge systems.
