Magadh University has the largest campus in the state
and is situated near the township of Bodh Gaya, about
13 kilometres from Gaya and comprises 44 constituent,
three minority and 100-odd affiliated colleges. These
colleges are spread in six districts of the state.
Many of its colleges are situated in Patna too.
Pandey told newsmen on Thursday that Patna University
should lose on the ground of location itself as it is
located in the most densely populated area in the
state capital. He said that the university does not
have a peaceful atmosphere that is vital for teaching,
learning and research. In contrast Magadh University
is stretched in over 650 acres of land.
He claimed that Magadh University offers more courses
than Patna University. It recently launched an academy
of foreign languages and hotel management course.
Besides, there are several engineering and medical
colleges affiliated to it.
With Bodh Gaya and international airport in the
vicinity and Gaya connected with rail to all the big
cities of the country Magadh University is better
placed to attract foreign academic collaborations.
Pandey said that he would appeal to the
governor-cum-chancellor, R S Gavai, and chief minister
Nitish Kumar in this regard. It would be inviting
Union human resources development minister, Arjun
Singh, for convocation in April and the issue is
likely to be raised on that occasion.
It needs to be mentioned that recently President
Pratibha Patil inaugurated the inter-university
cultural fest in Magadh University.
However, of late the University has been in the news
more for the extra-curricular activities, especially
at the initiative of Chancellor, R S Gavai––for
example cultural jamboree––than academic work. For
example, the University recently announced to open
Five Star Hotel on its campus just for providing
training to the students of Hotel Management. This
notwithstanding the fact that there are several
starred hotels in Bodh Gayu. In contrast most of its
science departments lack good faculty. Very few
teachers want to take PG classes.
