Rajgir, Bihar: Nalanda University and the CSIR–Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (CSIR-TKDL) Unit have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in research, academic activities and capacity-building related to Traditional Knowledge (TK), Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), people’s rights and cultural heritage.
The MoU was signed by Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, Vice-Chancellor of Nalanda University, and Dr Viswajanani J Sattigeri, Scientist-H and Head of the CSIR-TKDL Unit. The collaboration will focus particularly on documenting and researching traditional cultural expressions and the cultural heritage of Bihar.
Under the agreement, the institutions will undertake academic and research activities, intellectual exchanges, training programmes, student internships, exchange visits and networking initiatives.
Prof. Chaturvedi highlighted the importance of systematically documenting and preserving traditional knowledge, including community ecological knowledge, folklore and music, while ensuring that the interests of knowledge holders and communities are protected. He said the collaboration would also promote greater awareness of IPR and interdisciplinary research in Indian Knowledge Systems.
Dr Sattigeri said the partnership could help strengthen the role of Nalanda as an educational and research hub, with a focus on India’s cultural heritage and Bihar.
Established in 2001, the TKDL currently contains information on more than 5.2 lakh formulations and practices from Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Yoga. Its evidence has contributed to more than 375 patent applications worldwide being revoked, rejected, amended, withdrawn or abandoned, according to the CSIR-TKDL.
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