World’s First Living Heritage University

Source: The Indian Expresss

Why in News?

Visva-Bharati University, founded by Rabindranath Tagore in 1921, is set to become the world's first "living heritage university". The university is expected to receive the heritage tag from UNESCO in April or May 2023.

Normally heritage tag is given to a dead monument. For the first time in the world, a living university which is functioning is going to get the heritage tag from UNESCO.

What are the Key Points Related to Visva-Bharati University?

• It is located in Shantiniketan, West Bengal, India. When founded in 1921, it was named after Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore until Visva-Bharati Society was registered as an organization in May 1922.
• Rabindranath believed in open-air education and introduced that system at the university, which prevails to date.
• According to UNESCO, in 1922, Visva-Bharati was inaugurated as a Centre for Culture with exploration into the arts, language, humanities, music and these are reflected in diverse institutes that continue in their educational programmes like including Hindi studies, Sino-Asian studies, humanities, fine arts, and music.
• They are based on the founding principles of excellence in culture and culture studies.
• Until Independence, it was a college and the institution was given the status of Central University in 1951 through a Central Act.
• The structures within the institutes of Visva-Bharati University are diverse in architectural expression.

Examples include the

Kalo Bari (a mud structure with coal tar finish and sculpture panels)

Mastermoshai studio (a single-story structure built for the first principal of Kala Bhavan, Nandalal Bose)

Murals and paintings on Cheena and Hindi Bhavan

What is UNESCO?

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialised agency of the United Nations that promotes cooperation among nations through education, science, culture, and communication.

Major Initiatives of UNESCO:

• Man and Biosphere Programme
• World Heritage Programme
• Global Geopark Network
• Network of Creative Cities