Vinoba Bhave University (VBU) is abuzz with excitement in view of the forthcoming East Zone Vice Chancellors' Meet scheduled to begin in Hazaribagh on Friday as a part of an annual initiative to discuss ways to improve quality of higher education through mutual collaboration.

Vice chancellors (VCs) from as many as 30 universities of various states in the eastern part of the country are likely to come for the two-day event, which is being organised under the aegis of Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

Governor-cum-chancellor of Jharkhand universities Syed Ahmed is expected to inaugurate the meet while former Supreme Court justice and VC of Central University Sikkim Ruma Pal will be the chief guest.

VBU's media in-charge Hitendra Anupam said that officials were working on a war footing to complete preparations in time. A three-member organising committee, under the guidance of VC Gurdeep Singh, was busy ensuring a glitch-free event, he added.

'This is the first time when VBU has been selected to host this prestigious event, wherein VCs will discuss ways to ensure quality education. A report on the outcome of the meeting will be forwarded to the Union HRD ministry for implementation of resolutions passed by the VCs here,' Anupam pointed out, underlining the significance of the meet.

Elaborating on the preparations, he said AIU had granted Rs 2.5 lakh for the event. The meeting will be held at a new auditorium named after Swami Vivekananda, which will be inaugurated on the same day. Sources said furnishing work was now on at the auditorium that can seat 800.

Guests arriving here will be accommodated at the university's guesthouse and Canary Inn while CRPF and BSF have agreed to host lunch and dinner for them.

Anupam said it was a matter of pride that such a big event was being held at VBU. 'It will provide the varsity an opportunity to showcase its achievements. We have introduced e-registration facility and started releasing results on our website... these are some of the big feats so far,' he added.