Gaya: Union micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and Bihar assembly Speaker Prem Kumar inaugurated the 65th foundation day programme of Magadh University (MU) on Sunday.Addressing the inaugural session, Manjhi said, “I promise to discuss with CM Nitish Kumar for construction of an auditorium. Besides, whatever demands would be made for development of the MU, I will take them up. I pray that the varsity regain its past glory and achieve world renowned status.”He also proposed installation of a statue of Satyendra Narayan Singh, the abbot of Bodh Gaya Math, who was instrumental in providing land belonging to the Math for the establishment of MU.Special guest Prem Kumar said, “Giving top priority to education, the Bihar govt has made a provision of about sixty thousand crores, which is highest in Bihar’s education budget till date. I wish MU to achieve a status similar to Nalanda University, where students from all over the world came to gain knowledge.”Highlighting achievements during his tenure, MU vice-chancellor Prof Shashi Pratap Shahi said, “During the last three years, more than 155 examinations of conventional and professional courses have been conducted, which has regularised the academic session. MU has become the only seventh varsity in India to secure permission from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a survey followed by excavation at Dubba in Gurua block of Gaya district. It is the only varsity in Bihar currently offering courses in artificial intelligence (AI).”
