Patna University has started preparations for its centenary year celebrations.

The varsity, which will complete 100 years of inception, has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the event. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has given its consent too.

The main event will be held in September, while the PMO will fix the date of the PM's visit.

Patna University registrar Rabindra Kumar said: "We had sent a letter seeking participation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Patna University centenary year celebration around a year back. A few days back we received the confirmation letter from the PMO."

Though the main event will be held in September according to the PMO's convenience, the Patna University which is country seventh oldest university has started preparations for centenary year celebrations.

The centenary year celebrations will start from July-end and will continue till September. As part of the celebrations, the varsity will publish a research journal on the university itself.

In a couple of days the administration will send letters to its teachers and retired teachers on the submission of their research articles.

Patna University English teacher Shankar Ashish Dutta has been given the task of collecting and looking into the research articles to be submitted by the teachers.

Dutta said: "As the centenary year celebration will be attended by the Prime Minister, chief minister and other dignitaries, we have decided that the research articles submitted by the teachers should be best in quality. The research articles should have been published in national or international journals. An expert team of teachers acting as jury will look into the articles."

The jury will be from outside Patna University and the name of experts will be kept a secret.

Dutta said: "Our focus will be on the quality because the Patna University research journals, which the PM will release, will build image of the varsity and its teachers."

Sources said the research journal to be released by the Prime Minister will be sent to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and even universities across the country. The teachers have been asked to submit their articles in around 4,000 words and preferably in English/Hindi.

The varsity administration apart from seeking articles from teachers has also asked colleges and departments under it to send brief details of their institutions in around 1,200 words for the PU souvenir. The colleges and department have been asked to give a detailed account of their institutions on its history, achievements, students, teachers and its illustrious alumni.

Sources said the varsity, established in 1917 with a rich alumni list, would also seek a Central University status.

Prem Prakash, a student of Patna Science College, said: "The Central University status to Patna University will help strengthen infrastructure and academics which will directly help students."