New Delhi, October 14: Manipur University has been converted into a Central University with President APJ Abdul Kalam promulgating an Ordinance to this effect.

The conversion of Manipur University into a Central University was a long-standing demand from the State and the Ordinance promulgated yesterday fulfils the popular aspirations of the people, an official release said.

The action has also been prompted by the fact that a number of preparatory steps are required to be taken for operationalising the Central University well in time for the next academic session.

The University along with its constituent college, Manipur Institute of Technology, would be funded by the Centre through the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The financial requirement of the University for infrastructure development, spread over a period of three years, is estimated at Rs 49 crore and recurring expenditure at Rs 11 crore per annum, the release said.

The Centre proposes to withdraw the Manipur University Bill, 2005, pending in the Rajya Sabha in the ensuing Winter Session of Parliament and introduce a fresh Bill to replace the Ordinance, the release added (PTI).

Our Staff Reporter adds from Imphal: Manipur University was set up on June 5, 1980 under the Manipur University Act, 1980 (Manipur Act 8 of 1980).Located at Canchipur about 8 kms from Imphal city on the Indo-Myanmar road (National Highway-39) the University covers an area of about 287 acres.

Headed by Dr Ng Bijoy Singh as the Vice Chancellor, the University offers a number of courses including the School of Humanities which covers English Department, Hindi Department, Linguistics Department, Manipuri Department at Philosophy Department.

Under School of Social Sciences, the university has the Department of Adult Continuing Education and extension, Department of Commerce, Department of Economics, Department of Education, Department of History, Department of Library and Information Science and Department of Political Science.

The School of Sciences offer Anthropology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Science, Geography, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics.

A number of centres/departments are also functioning in the university to strengthen higher education.

This includes Audio Visual Research Centre, Centre for Manipur Studies, University Museum, Computer Centre, IGNOU, Special Cell for the Welfare of SC and ST.

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