State universities will adopt nearby villages shortly and ensure education, hygiene, electrification, skill development, computerisation and implementation of development and welfare schemes launched by the government.

They will also have to computerise all their functions to ensure transparency and regularity.

Governor Ram Nath Kovind, also the chancellor of state universities, suggested such steps to vice-chancellors at a daylong meeting at Raj Bhavan on Monday. UGC chairman Ved Prakash and state education minister Ashok Choudhary were also present. The governor told the vice-chancellors and education department officials that awards are being considered for the best performing university. Kovind stressed on the necessity of maintaining a fearless academic environment in the universities, and requested the vice-chancellors to present themselves as a role model in educational and moral matters.

Kovind also pitched for creation of e-library and e-learning facilities and developing colleges as centres of excellence.

Vice-chancellors Prabhakar Palande of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Mohammad Ishtiaq of Magadh University, Saket Kushwaha of Lalit Narayan Mithila University, Rama Shankar Dubey of Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University, Lokesh Chandra Prasad of Jai Prakash University and Nalanda Open University pro-VC R.K. Upadhyaya presented papers on various topics. Ved Prakash called for developing higher education as per the demand by the industrial sector as it is "looking at the universities with high hopes".

"The universities should fulfil their role of providing quality higher education and extensive socio-cultural responsibilities. The public and private sector could collaborate and co-exist with each other and can bring revolution in the field of higher education," Prakash said.

Education minister Ashok Choudhary said the government would soon provide Wi-Fi facility at all colleges and student credit card for those poor youth who want to pursue higher studies.