Lumbini should be developed as a hub for quality education: FM Paudel

LUMBINI: Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel has stressed the need to develop Lumbini as a center for quality education.

Speaking at a program to lay the foundation stone of an international hostel and launch the Devdaha Master Plan, Paudel also unveiled the Infrastructure Master Plan for Devdaha in Rupandehi district, which carries an estimated cost of Rs 80 billion.

He recalled that the government had allocated around 92 bigha of land at Devdaha to Lumbini Buddhist University in 2077 BS. This land has now been incorporated into the newly unveiled master plan.

On the occasion, Finance Minister Paudel urged the University to take a leading role in implementing the master plan and assured full government support to strengthen its institutional capacity.

Recalling a signature campaign held in 2051 BS calling for the establishment of a Buddhist university, Paudel expressed satisfaction over the university’s progress and institutional development.

He expressed confidence that Lumbini Buddhist University could become a leading academic institution in the country and evolve into a global educational destination.

Highlighting the University’s inclusion of subjects beyond Buddhist philosophy, he said this expansion had added to its relevance and effectiveness. He also instructed the university administration to leverage the name and legacy of Gautam Buddha to build a strong international brand.

However, he also expressed disappointment that the Lumbini Development Trust’s master plan remains incomplete even after four decades of its inception.