SITAGU International Buddhist Academy this month is starting work on expanding its second campus in Dagon township in Yangon, and plans to open a third campus in Mandalay, said U Han, secretary of the Sitagu Buddhist Association that runs the academy.

The main campus is located in Sagaing Hills, Sagaing Division.

U Han said the Dagon township branch of the academy opened in 2006, offering diplomas in Buddhist scripture. This month work will start on expanding the single-building school into a campus that will eventually grant bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees in Buddhist literature.

Construction will also start this month on the academy’s third campus in Mandalay, he said.

He said Sitagu International Buddhist Academy was recognized as a member of the Association of Theravada Buddhist Universities at the International Buddhist University Summit held at the academy in Sagaing Hills from March 7 to 9.

“As members of the association, we will be involved in more activities along with other universities. The projects that we are starting this month will be completed in 2011,” U Han said.

The association has offered full scholarships for more than 40 students from foreign Buddhist universities. Twelve doctorate degree holders will supervise the academies.

U Han said Sayadaw Nyanissara, the founder of the association, is keen to continue developing his Buddhist missionary projects.

The sayadaw also gave US$100 each to 254 monks who are studying at Buddhist universities in India this year, to be used for their alms food.

“Any Myanmar Buddhist monks holding Myanmar passports can contact the sayadaw if they have difficulties for alms food. The sayadaw donates to Myanmar passports holders once a year as a way to promote the Dhamma (teachings of the Buddha),” U Han said.

He said Sayadaw Nyanissara was involved in four Sitagu projects: a Sitagu water donation project, Sitagu Ayudhana Hospital, Sitagu International Buddhist Academy and Sitagu Buddhist Vihira.

Sitagu International Buddhist Academy was founded in 1994 in Sagaing to teach and train missionary student monks and nuns with the aim of spreading the Buddha’s teachings.

More than 15 medical specialist teams from aboard are providing healthcare services at the Sitagu Ayudhana Hospital yearly.

Sitagu International Missionary Association, founded in 1980, donated K7.7 billion to schools, monasteries, hospitals and other sectors in Nargis-devastated areas of the Ayeyarwady delta.