Patna: Newly appointed Bihar Governor Lal Ji Tandon on Saturday insisted on transforming the historic Patna University into a centre of academic excellence in the country.

Presiding over the valedictory function of the university's centenary celebration, the governor-cum chancellor of universities recalled the institution's glorious past and said its significance could be gauged from the fact that it was once known as the Oxford of the East.

"We must develop Patna University into a centre of modern education in the country. It can be achieved only by imparting quality education to students. It should be developed as a beacon of academic excellence, research and innovation in education," he told the gathering.

It was Tandon's first interaction with the people after he was sworn in as the 39th governor of the state, replacing Satya Pal Malik, who took over as Jammu and Kashmir governor. Patna High Court Chief Justice M.R. Shah administered the oath of office to Tandon at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday.

"Though Bihar has made remarkable progress in the field of higher education, there is a need to bring modernisation in education provided in various colleges and universities in the state," said the 83-year-old Tandon, who hails from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh. Tracing the state's rich educational heritage from the ancient Nalanda University, the governor said: "Like the ancient Nalanda University, which enlightened the whole Indian sub-continent through education, Patna University also played a significant role in bringing the state's youth close to the national culture and spirit. No wonder great souls like Jayaprakash Narayan and Ramdhari Singh Dinkar hail from this university."

Highlighting the importance of education, the governor said: "Education is the most important tool for empowering people, especially the most weaker sections of the society, and expansion of education promotes scientific temper among students thus bringing changes in the mindset of the people."

Delivering his speech on the occasion, Union human resource development minister Prakash Javadekar called the university Gyan Ka Himalaya (the Himalaya of knowledge in the country).

"The central government, apart from increasing budgetary allocation on education which was Rs 63,000 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 85,000 crore in 2018, it also formed the Higher Education Finance Agency (HEFA) to fund the creation of high quality educational infrastructure in educational institutions of the country. We will not let money to be an obstacle in the development of the institutions," Javadekar said.

Javadekar also released postal stamp on Patna University which showcases its building near the banks of the Ganga. Emphasising on research and innovation, the Union HRD minister told the audience that their major focus is on promotion of research and innovation in the country's educational institutions so that the game-changing technologies would be created in our country and by our own students.

"India lacks in innovation and scientific research but sustainable prosperity depends upon the research and innovation projects undertaken by students in educational institutions of the country which would make our lives easier besides providing solutions to many social problems," added Javadekar.

Speaking on the occasion, deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi maintained that the Bihar government remained committed for promotion of education and educational development of the underprivileged in the state. "The student credit card scheme, exempting girls from fees in higher education and appointment of teachers in colleges and universities are appreciable initiatives taken by the government for promotion of higher education in the state's universities," he said.

He added: "The state government will provide sufficient amount of money to Patna University for creation of state-of-the-art infrastructure whenever needed."

Education minister Krishna Nandan Prasad Verma announced a National Dolphin Research Centre at Patna University will promote research on aquatic animals in the Ganga. He also directed the Patna University administration for opening new departments and promote academic research in the university.

"We hope that a person belonging to the university would win a Nobel Prize in the future. Acknowledging the prestigious past of Patna University, the dream does not seem impossible," said Verma.

PU vice-chancellor Rash Bihari Prasad Singh said: "Academic research will receive a boost at Patna University as the administration has established tie-ups with universities in Japan to promote research in various fields. It has also begun attracting foreign students by providing quality education and infrastructure."

Javadekar also honoured nine former vice-chancellors.