Patna: Munger University is the first of the three new universities to get recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The university received the letter on Wednesday. Vice-chancellor (VC) Ranjit Kumar Verma said: "With the university getting recognition from the UGC, all our courses, degrees and other programmes will be recognised. Graduates will be recognised by the UGC and they will also be ready to pursue higher education from any other university. It also entitles the university to get funds from the commission, hold national and international level seminars, and collaborate and tie up with any university in the country."

The Munger University came into existence this year under the Bihar State Universities (Amendment) Act, 2016. and was notified as a state university in January 2017. This March, the Raj Bhavan appointed vice-chancellors and pro-vice-chancellors for Munger University. The two other new universities are Patliputra and Purnea.

The Munger University has 17 colleges spread in Munger, Jamui, Lakhisarai, Sheikhpura and Khagaria districts.

The UGC in its two-page letter has stated that no programmes should be offered through franchising arrangement with private institutions. Besides, the university has been debarred from opening any study centres through franchises. In case the university has started any off-campus/study centres, with franchisees operating it outside Bihar, they must be closed immediately. No distance education programmes shall be started without the UGC's prior approval, the letter mentions.

VC Verma said: "Now that the university has received the recognition letter, new courses will be started and registration will start for students who have taken admission in undergraduate courses."

The new university, along with Bihar's nine other universities, is carrying out admission through online facilitation system for students - a centralised admission procedure. Governor Satya Pal Malik on July 15 released the merit list for admission in undergraduate courses at 440 colleges in the 10 universities. Of 4.11 lakh students, 3.44 lakh candidates can take admission from July 16-24.