Visva-Bharati University

In Context

• Visva-Bharati University will soon get the ‘heritage’ tag from UNESCO to take the distinction of world’s first living heritage university.

About

• Founded by:
  • The university was founded by Rabindranath Tagore in 1921.
  • Visva-Bharati Society was registered as an organisation in May 1922.
  • Rabindranath Tagore also donated some of his property, including land and a bungalow, to the society.

• Background
  • Visva-Bharati was declared to be a Central University and an institution of national importance by an Act of Parliament in 1951.

• Its first vice-chancellor was Rathindranath Tagore, the son of Rabindranath Tagore.
• Rabindranath believed in open-air education and introduced that system at the university, which prevails to date.

• It will be the world’s first heritage university.
  • Normally a heritage tag is given to a dead monument. For the first time in the world, a living university which is functioning is going to get the heritage tag from UNESCO.

• Structure:
  • Their educational programmes are based on the founding principles of excellence in culture and culture studies.
  • The President of India is the Paridarsaka (Visitor) of the University, the Governor of West Bengal is the Pradhana (Rector), and the Prime Minister of India acts as the Acharya (Chancellor).
  • The President of India appoints the Upacharya (Vice-chancellor) of the University.

Source:IE