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THE WORLD BUDDHIST UNIVERSITY (WBU)

UNDER AUSPICES OF THE WFB

ABOUT WBU

The World Buddhist University (WBU) is a global Buddhist think tank and Buddhist
academic network organization under auspices of The World Fellowship of Buddhists
(The WFB) headquartered in Thailand. The mission of the WBU is to contribute, through
collaborative research and education, co-ordinate with the Buddhist universities and other
academic institutions which offer studies of Buddhism and related subjects all over the world
in the fields of research, training, Buddhist practice and education based on Buddhism as
well as development and welfare that are the concern of The WFB, its peoples and members.

Accordingly, the WBU will play an important role in coordinating among all other
Buddhist universities, educational institutes, and The WFB Regional Centres where
Buddhism is taught and disseminated through the context of the globalization.
In carrying out this mission, the WBU works with leading universities and research
institutes in The WFB member countries, functioning as a bridge between the international
academic community and The WFB system.

Through various activities, WBU contributes to Buddhist studies and capacity building,
particularly in The WFB Headquarters and The WFB Regional Centres and countries.

Therefore, the WBU is a new university model following the model of the United
Nations University (UNU) which is a globally networked organization. Traditional
universities offer structured degrees taught by professors on campus. The WBU is a
new model because its main objective is to liaise with Associated Institutions all over
the world in the fields of research, training, Buddhist practice, education and cultural
exchange. The WBU is also a new model university because it has no student body in
the traditional sense. The WBU neither have a campus nor does it enroll students in
course within different academic disciplines. The WBU’s work is conducted through a
network. In this way the WBU is a virtual university as it operates in multiple physical
locations linked by the internet and digital technology with the main physical location at
The WFB headquarters in Thailand that functions as the coordinating centre of regional
and international activities and information and communication exchange.

There are ten recognized Associated Institutions of the WBU: one in Australia, one
in USA, one in France, one in India and six in Thailand.

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RECORD OF PROCEEDING | THE 11 MEETING OF THE WBU COUNCIL
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