Objects of the University

(1) The objects of the University shall be to promote knowledge, understanding and growth in all members of the community by providing reflective educational opportunities, as well as research opportunities, and by promoting and creating innovative educational models in higher education. (2) The University shall pioneer an approach of intentional hybridity, where perspectives, approaches and tools from a wide variety of sources from all over the world shall be gathered, discussed and thoughtfully selected and arranged to create a culture of joyful learning. The University shall, in organising activities, have due regard to the following objects which the creators have deemed essential to the highest quality educational experience, namely : (a) Universal Ideals of Buddhism as a Guiding Force: (i) to cultivate, explore and study the wisdom philosophy of the Buddha, ancient and modern, with humility and for the benefit of all sentient beings; (ii) to reflect on the Buddha's teaching and their application to the modern world; (iii) to make the Buddha dharma philosophy accessible to youth in Sikkim, India and the world; (iv) to ensure the University community is guided by the following principles: (i) Rang Sem Rang-ki Tawa: translates as 'Your Mind, Yours to observe'. we understand this to mean that one should look at one's own mind to find wisdom. (ii) Karuna: translates as 'compassion'. we understand this to mean that one should have compassion, empathy for all sentient beings. (iii) Lay-Guydray: translates as the law of 'cause and effect'. we understand this to mean that there is the principle of cause and effect, action and its results that defines the order of things in the world. (iv) samaya: translates as 'sacred bond'. we understand this to mean that there is a sacred bond between oneself and others parents, lopons and friends. (b) Mission and educational philosophy shall be : (i) to empower and prepare students to transform their own lives and professions through an education that makes breakthroughs possible; (ii) to create a 'learning-centric' community where everyone, young and old, local and foreign, lopon, student and facilitator, shall be treated as a learner with immense potential, both for self-growth and to catalyze the growth of others; (iii) to create a learning university based in the value of compassion for the struggle of personal and community-wide transformation; (iv) to create a new model of higher education in a way that is meaningful and impactful and that inspires the development of other University; (v) to ensure that quality higher education should be available to all those who are able to benefit from it, including by serving those who have been historically underserved and marginalized in Sikkim and India; those who either did not have access to higher education, who did not feel it was relevant or who refuse to conform to the current system; (vi) to focus on the improvement of the social and economic welfare of the people of Sikkim and India as well as promote their intellectual, academic and cultural growth; (vii) to seek common fellowship with other cultures from around the world through dialogue, meditation and inquiry; (viii) to promote fundamental skills like reading, critical thought, discussion, writing and conducting research, all which are embedded in curriculum; (ix) to encourage great transformation for students by learning from the expertise of educators in India and around the world; and (x) to cultivate karuna and samaya and thus to enable the community to appreciate the sacred bonds within the school, within Sikkim and with peoples worldwide. (c) institutional focus shall be - (i) to maintain academic freedom and innovative research, scholarship and teaching; (ii) to take appropriate measures for promoting high-quality approaches in the educational process and in interdisciplinary studies; (iii) to achieve equality of opportunity and diversity throughout the University; (iv) to create and sustain a campus with international standards of education; (v) to create centers of excellence with state of the art facilities; (vi) to carry out teaching and research and offer continuing education Programs; (vii) to innovate pedagogy, learning tools and technologies that encourage student engagement with their own learning process; (viii) to support international educational standards of learning within the University; (ix) to establish links with industry and society so that the programs so offered are relevant to society at large; (x) to open study centers, off-campus within or out of the State of Sikkim with approval from the State Government and in compliance with the laws of the applicable regulatory bodies and concerned State Government(s); (xi) to collaborate with any organization, institution or association in India or abroad; and (xii) to design develop and offer educational, training and exchange programes for students, faculty members and others. (d) Administration of the University shall be - (i) to provide examinations and confer degrees, diplomas and other academic distinctions or titles onto those people, subject to the conditions as the University may determine; (ii) to issue certificates, qualification levels and other academic recognitions, as the University may determine; and (iii) to ensure that the standard of degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions meet the minimum standards laid down by the applicable regulatory authorities of the state of sikkim and the Government of India. (e) Governance shall be - (i) to protect the collective student interest through good governance; (ii) to provide full and transparent accountability for public and all other funding; (iii) to provide accurate and transparent information that is publicly accessible, but maintains reasonable individual Privacy and obeys relevant laws; (iv) to set high standards of governance and accountability for its stakeholders; (v) to create a professional environment where the authorities and officers of the University develop a shared understanding of the University's governance and operational expectations and how they wish to promote those expectations; and (vi) to pursue any other objective as may be approved by the Board of Governors.