Patna, Feb 19 (IANS): Delhi-based Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) are keen to open their centres in Bihar, state Education Minister P.K. Shahi Wednesday said.

"JNU's official has informed us that they will open a centre in Bihar after permission from the union human resource ministry," Shahi said.

Shahi said he had sent letters to JNU and BHU for submitting their proposals.

"Till now, BHU's officials have not informed us and we are awaiting their reply," he said.

Shahi said the state government will provide all possible help to both the educational institutions to set up their centres.

Last month, after Congress president Sonia Gandhi laid the foundation stone of an off-campus branch of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in the state's Kishanganj district, BHU too showed willingness to set up a branch in Bihar.

BHU vice chancellor Lalji Singh then said the university was keen to open a branch and asked the Bihar government to provide land.

Shahi said he has also written a letter to union Human Resource Minister Pallam Raju in this connection and requested his intervention.

Shahi said that hundreds of students from Bihar are studying in JNU and BHU and if both the universities open their centres in the state, it will provide more opportunities for the youth.