| |19 DECEMBER 2023HIGHERReviewCentral Sanskrit University prioritizes creating an environment where students embrace multiculturalism & linguistic diversitytraining programs, not just to provide quality education but also to stay current with educational technologies. The three faculty development centers incorporated in Jaipur, Tripura, and Kerala give educators an additional advantage in honing their academic and technological skills. In fact, right from its administrative wing to its open and distance education institute, named Mukta Swadhyaya Peetham, all reflect the university's commitment to technological excellence. Started with 45 programs, this e-learning portal facilitates learning through Sanskrit-based curriculum, regular assignments, and self-learning materials. The platform's efficiency is also exemplified in its milestone, in which it garnered the attention and registrations of around 8000 students from about 26 countries, just within a month of its launch, and is expected to reach a strength of over 1 lakh students within the next few years. Furthermore, both students who opt for online as well as in-person learning are endowed with access to learning management systems and a library, which comprises an extensive collection of over 28000 books, journals, periodicals, newspapers, and dissertations in Sanskrit. Central Sanskrit University prioritizes creating an environment where students embrace multiculturalism and linguistic diversity, which, according to Prof.Shrinivasa, is not a barrier but an opportunity for students to foster a national identity. The students, from different places in India, are enrolled centrally and distributed across the institutions based on merit, with a multitude of occasions to celebrate their respective language, literature, art forms, food habits and dresses, and knowledge systems. "Our students are generally well-versed in their mother tongue, Sanskrit, Hindi, English, and at least one additional language. Such multi-lingual skills equip our students to excel, not just academically but also in their professions as ambassadors of culture and languages in India as well as abroad," shares Prof.Shrinivasa. Into the Present & the FutureThe impact of Central Sanskrit University in promoting Sanskrit education is also evident in its active involvement with the government of India and ministries, primarily in the formation of national linguistic policies. The university is also collaborating with esteemed universities like IITs and IIMs, where it sends Sanskrit teachers to build new Sanskrit learning centers. Working closely with the government of India, the university oversees around 30 schemes, with Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan actively supporting the initiatives. With an A++ certificate from NAAC, Central Sanskrit University envisions broadening its influence and integrating Sanskrit beyond the professions of art and humanities. Emphasizing skilling and upskilling its students, the organization has introduced new disciplines like MSc in Yogic Sciences, integrated law programs, Hindu studies, and agricultural studies. "Earlier, we used to work towards the preservation of Sanskrit studies, but now it can be expanded to the entire global education," opines Prof. Shrinivasa. The university is also currently in the process of expanding its geographical presence by establishing a new campus in Prayagraj with support from the Uttar Pradesh government and has also made substantial investments in setting up a branch in Devprayag and hostels for girls and academic buildings in Tripura, in turn moving a step closer to its vision of establishing Bharat as a Vishwa guru in Sanskrit learning in a global context. UNIVERSITY OF THE YEAR- 2023HIGHER EDUCATIONReview
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