Acharya Pandit Shilabhadra Hostel

Many well-known institutions surround the Bangladesh Buddhist Cultural Academy: Cumilla University, Cumilla Polytechnic Institute, Cumilla Government Teachers’ Training College, Cumilla Vocational and Technical Training Centre, a private university and polytechnic, and more. But these institutions have no hostel or dormitory seats available for minority students.

A hostel for these students is the demand of the time, and we expect about 100 poor, struggling and indigenous students to benefit directly from this project. We have therefore decided to build the Acharya Pandit Shilabhadra Hostel on our premises (Plot 2), in honour of the internationally renowned scholar Most Venerable Shilabhadra, the chief acharya of ancient Nalanda University.

Project objectives

• Housing for poor and needy students. A secure and affordable hostel for poor and needy students of the educational institutions, including the universities, near the site.
• Meals that respect dietary needs. A food menu that accommodates the dietary preferences and restrictions of minority students, which existing dormitories do not.
• Space for religious practice. Dedicated places of worship where minority students can practise their religion and celebrate their special days without hindrance.
• A home for students of every faith. An inclusive place for Buddhist monks, Hindu monks and Christian students to study while keeping their religious privacy and comfort.
• A library. Religious and general books, periodicals, magazines and other resources to support the residents’ academic and personal growth.
• Health and recreation. Sports and recreation facilities to encourage exercise and healthy living, and to help keep students away from drugs and harmful behaviour.
• International friendship. A building that stands as a symbol of friendship and cooperation between Bangladesh and India, promoting understanding and goodwill between students of both nations.