Regional University: A Good Idea That Failed, Says Former VP
Pathum Seneviratne | 29 January 2025 | University World News
A former vice-president of the South Asian University (SAU) says he believes the institution is no longer able to fulfil the laudable regional research and soft power roles originally intended for it, and it has instead become a “very parochial Indian” university.
Established to great fanfare 15 years ago as a regional university sponsored by eight South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries, the SAU has been beset by internal controversies and budgetary shortfalls, the expulsion of protesting students, the suspension of academics, and allegations of suppressing academic freedom…