The Faculty of Buddhist Studies, Lumbini Buddhist University, proudly hosted the first-ever entrance interview for the newly launched Master’s Degree by Dissertation (MDD) program on 8 August 2025. This inaugural intake was exclusively for international students, marking a milestone in the university’s global academic journey.
Five distinguished applicants from Malaysia, Taiwan, China, and Japan participated in the interview, which was conducted in two phases:
- Phase I: Mr. Beh Chun How (Malaysia), Ms. Pai Ru Luh (Taiwan), Mr. Zhao Wei (China)
- Phase II: Ms. Siew Pei Fung (Malaysia), Mr. Kohji Ohkura (Japan)
The interview panel was chaired by Dr. Manik Ratna Shakya, Dean of the Faculty of Buddhist Studies, with Sr. Prof. Basanta Bidari as Member Secretary and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fanindra Kumar Neupane as Member of the Evaluation Committee. Mr. Kamal Thapa, Assistant Lecturer and Coordinator of MDD, facilitated the entire process and ensured smooth planning and execution of the virtual session.
Each candidate was allocated 7–10 minutes to present and respond to panel questions, showcasing diverse, timely, and insightful research themes in Buddhist Studies. The online interview ran seamlessly, reflecting the university’s commitment to academic excellence, research innovation, and international collaboration.
Event Highlights:
1. Opening Group Photo-Panel and participants at the start of the session
2. Phase I Presentation-Applicants delivering research proposals
3. Phase II Presentation-Applicants engaging in Q&A with the panel
4. Closing Remarks-Dean addressing and encouraging participants
The evaluation committee will now recommend qualified candidates for admission to the MDD 2025 inaugural international intake. This landmark event reinforces the university’s role in fostering global scholarly exchange and nurturing future leaders in Buddhist Studies.