Singapore has welcomed the Indian Parliament’s approval to a bill to revive the ancient seat of learning at Nalanda in Bihar by establishing an international university there.

“With this Act of the Indian Parliament, Nalanda International University is legally established and the Mentor Group becomes the Interim Governing Board, which will draw up the statutes and appoint key office bearers to the University,” Singapore’s Foreign Minister George Yeo said in a statement.

Notably, Yeo is a member of the Nalanda Mentor Group, chaired by Nobel laureate Amartya Sen.

The fifth century Nalanda University in Bihar is being revived by India which has formed an international eminent group. Singapore has been a lead supporter of the University’s revival, offering USD four to five million for the university’s library through private donations.

The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Nalanda University Bill, 2010, which has already been adopted by the Rajya Sabha.

The Nalanda Mentor Group would function as the interim governing board for one year or till the constitution of the Governing Board, whichever is earlier.