Chandragupta Institute of Management (CIMP), Patna, is contemplating to establish a world class library at an estimated cost of Rs 1 crore soon. This state-of-the art library resource centre is expected to set a new benchmark for the existing libraries in the state.

CIMP director V Mukundadas told TOI that to begin with the library will be allocated about 5,000 square feet area on its new campus, but it has a long term plan of its expansion into a spacious and independent building. The collection planned to be housed in the library will reflect the most current global, national and industry-focused information in the form of books, periodicals, magazines, CD/DVD and newsletters.

In another significant move which could set the example for others to follow our Political leaders are setting the right example by contributing funds for the development of their Alma Mater Patna University.

Patna Science College has produced a galaxy of eminent personalities occupying top positions in different walks of life. And, at least some of them have shown their affection for the institution they studied and have contributed their mite for its development.

PU geology teacher and former Rajya Sabha member Ranjan Yadav donated more than Rs 30 lakh from MP's fund for the construction of geological museum-cum-auditorium. Most of the conferences and seminars organised by different departments of PU are held in this auditorium.

Quite recently, the second floor of an examination hall of Science College was constructed and furnished with the generous contribution of Anita Sharma, wife of Late Chandrashekhar Sharma, a renowned mathematician and an alumnus of the college. Sharma donated a sum of about Rs 25 lakh for the construction of the hall, said college principal S N Guha.

More recently, during the annual meeting of the College Alumni Association, chief minister Nitish Kumar, also an alumnus of the college, agreed to release Rs 1 crore from the public exchequer for the repair of its gymnasium and for the construction of a conference hall. Urban development minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey, also an alumnus of the college, also agreed to provide land for the construction of the association building.

The gloom and agony of floods and the disturbing incident in Bhagalpur has been grabbing most of the media attention. Amidst all this, the state has taken a positive step ahead by becoming perhaps the first in the country to go for virtual classroom in its varsities. College and university students of Bihar had an interaction with Chancellor RS Gavai at Rajbhawan through video-conferencing. This has also heralded the concept of virtual classrooms in the state.

At a meeting of the vice chancellors of all the universities in the state at Rajbhawan held here under the chairmanship of Chancellor Gavai, the students of Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University asked several questions to the chancellor and got satisfactory replies to their queries from him. They interacted with the chancellor through video-conferencing facilitated by National Informatics Centres at Bhagalpur and Munger.

It was later decided at the meeting that each university would develop its video-conferencing system within the next two months. Subsequently, all the colleges would have their own video-conferencing system linking them with each other and also with the institutions of other universities. Thus, students would be able to attend the lectures delivered by teachers of any institution through video-conferencing.

It was further decided that the examinations and libraries of all the universities would be fully computerized within the next months with the help of NIC, which would act as the nodal agency. NIC would provide the necessary software and trained manpower to the universities for the automation work. NIC would also help the universities in developing their websites.

This will be definitely be the most momentous occasion for the students and the teaching community in Bihar, in the last few decades our institutions have been floundering due to lack of access to quality research. If the plan to connect the classes and libraries to the virtual networks works out as desired I’m sure this will be a big boon for the talented and meritorious students in Bihar. This move will help in controlling the migration of students from Bihar to other states and help in improving the academic environment of the varsities.

This may come as a big surprise to many but this report indicates that Bihar stands numero uno in urban reforms in the country. Bihar happens to be the first state in the country to enact the Model Municipal Act for ensuring all-round development of municipal areas.

Urban Development Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey before a galaxy of scientists and environmentalists on Saturday said that he state has received a sum of Rs 38 crore from the Central government for effecting solid waste management. A suitable plot of land is being acquired for disposal of solid waste.

Speaking as the chief guest at an all India training programme on bio-medical waste management organised by the Patna University Centre for Environment and Nature Conservation at Science College auditorium here, Choubey said steps have also been initiated for setting up a plant to generate electricity from waste polythene bags. It has been found that 33 metric tonnes of polythene bags can generate 9.5 MW of power.

He said registration of all nursing homes and hospitals with the Bihar State Pollution Control Board has been made mandatory and more than 700 nursing homes have already been registered. Besides, a heavy penalty has also been envisaged for the hospitals and private clinics which indulge in unscientific disposal of bio-medical waste.

Also it’s encouraging to know about the 31 Sunrise courses which have been launched by Patna University from the current academic year. In order to make higher education more vocational and to keep pace with the changing times these courses have been started on self-financing basis are expected to attract more and more career-oriented boys and girls.

One of my previous posts marked the changes which are being witnessed in the campus of Patna University. The academic environment in Bihar continues to improve thanks to the efforts of Chancellor.

Ever since he took over last year, Chancellor-cum-Governor of Bihar RS Gavai singled out revamp of higher education as his main priority. Nine months on, there are many firsts to his credit. The Chancellor's office has made it compulsory for teachers to stay on campus for a minimum of five hours and banned private tuition.

He has taken disciplinary action against the errant teachers, something unheard of earlier. For the first time, a team from Raj Bhawan has so far inspected over 120 colleges in different parts of the state to improve the scenario.

Like schools, colleges are organising parent teachers' meet to improve attendance. The Chancellor office has made it clear that those having less than 75 per cent attendance should not be allowed to take examinations at any cost. To streamline the derailed academic session, there is deadline of July for the universities to set things right. For the first time, all the VCs in Bihar were selected after their interview with the Chancellor.

In an exclusive interview with HT, Gavai said that he would not tolerate if teachers shied away from their duty. "Teachers' primary job is to teach. That is what they are paid for and that is what I want from them. They cannot remain on unauthorised leave and still draw salary. I have asked all the vice chancellors to enforce campus discipline," he added.

The Chancellor said that he had already initiated a number of measures. "I, as a Governor, have involved myself and accepted the challenge to set higher education right. I take actions accordingly. I am doing it with my heart. Whatever I am doing is within my rights as the Chancellor," he added.

Gavai said that efforts were already on to streamline the academic session. "There will be a uniform academic calendar and holiday calendar in all the universities. I have asked my OSD (Education) Krishna Kumar to work out a detailed plan to revive inter-university sports and culture meets in the state," he added.