Patna, Sep 11 (IANS): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will formally inaugurate Nalanda University, an ancient international centre for learning in Bihar, Sep 19, its vice chancellor said Thursday.

Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi will also attend the event.

The university will also invite ambassadors of neighbouring countries for the inaugural function, Vice Chancellor Gopa Sabhrawal said.

Sabhrawal said the university has sent invitations to 18 countries which were involved in setting up the university.

China, Australia, Thailand, Laos, Indonesia and Singapore have agreed to send their representatives.

Classes started Sep 1 at the revived Nalanda University, after a break of over 800 years, with 15 students and half a dozen faculty.

The university is coming up in Rajgir, 12 km from where the ancient Nalanda University stood till the 12th century, when it was razed by an invading Turkish army.

The fully residential university, to be completed by 2020, will have seven schools, all for post-graduate and doctoral students, offering courses in science, philosophy, spirituality and social sciences.