The Central University of Bihar (CUB) will launch a five-year integrated MPhil-PhD programme next year.

Students can pursue the programme in eight disciplines — social science, economics, development studies, Hindi and political science, mathematics, computer science, environmental studies and biotechnology.

Central University of Bihar registrar Mohammed Nehal said: “The varsity will introduce the MPhil-PhD programme after launching the undergraduate programmes from the Gaya campus.”

The university will admit 20 students for the programme, likely to start in January.

Sources said this is the first time the university will introduce the MPhil-PhD programme.

The PhD programme will be offered according to 2009 guidelines.

Nehal said: “The university will conduct an admission process for the MPhil-PhD programme. Students who have scored 55 per cent and above are eligible.”

The university will soon issue advertisements for admission into the programme. Students from across the country can apply for the course.

The PhD programme will run according to University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations, 2009.

According to the UGC- revised regulations for admission to a PhD course, each applicant is required to appear for pre-PhD course for at least a semester (six months).

Even Patna University recently introduced the PhD programme.

Introduction of the new programme is part of the university’s expansion plans.

The Union cabinet recently gave its nod for land acquisition to set up Central University of Bihar (Gaya campus).

As the Union cabinet has given its nod for acquisition of 300 acres of land for setting up the campus, the plot will be legally transferred to Central University of Bihar.

The university sources said the Union human resource development department has provided money to the ministry of defence to acquire the land according to market rate.

The land belongs to the defence ministry. The Union human resource development department will soon notify the land to the Central University of Bihar, Gaya.

The university administration has already started the process for construction of the campus and has selected Rites, a public sector undertaking (PSU), to construct the campus in Gaya.

After the selection of project management consultant, the varsity will select an architect to design the campus.

A fresher party was organised on Wednesday for the postgraduate students in which the new entrants performed drama, dance and cultural programmes.