________________ 482 Homage to Vaisali that in order to widen the scope of the Institute, subjects like Logic, Comparative Religion, Linguistics etc. should be incorporated in its curriculum. Accordingly, the subject as taught here offers five specialized groups, viz., Literature, Philosophy, Epistemology & Logic, Ancient Indian History & Epigraphy and Comparative Religion & Philosophy for the teaching of which specialized teachers in the said disciplines are available at the Institute. * The Institute also provides for teaching of English of the B. A. Pass standard as a part of the three-year M. A. course for Oriental students and students coming from South-East Asian countries. Dr. Zakir Hussain, the Governor of Bihar during 1957-1962, had pointedly laid stress upon the need of introducing improved and effective method of teaching English, because such knowledge was an essential tool in higher study and research. Teaching imparted at the Institute is based upon personal contact between the teachers and the taught, and greater emphasis is laid upon the tutorial and the seminar system than upon formal lectures. Holding of monthly seminars on varying aspects of Prakrit & Jainology forms a regular feature of the academic activities of this Institute. Education at the Institute is free. Besides, some meritorious stadents are offered assistance in terms of monthly scholarships purely on merit basis. The late Shrimati Hira Kumari of Calcutta donated Rupees six thousand with the proviso that the interest accruing therefrom should be utilized for student welfare. The Institute has had the privilege of utilizing the great services of distinguished teachers like Dr. Satkari Mookerjee, Dr. Jagadish Chandra Jain and Professor Anant Lal Thakur. Dr. Chhaganlal Shastri, Dr. Vimal Prakash Jain, Dr. Nand Kishore Prasad, Dr. Shriranjan Surideva and Dr. Om Prakash Sharan served on the teaching staff of the Institute in the past with full dedication to teaching and research. Research In order to draw talents to the field of research at the Institute, candidates having high second class Master's degree in Prakrit and Jainology or even in any of the allied subjects like Sanskrit, Pali, Philosophy, Ancient History and Modern Languages and having an aptitude for research are allowed admission. Some resarch scholars are 1. Vide Courses of Study for M. A. Examinations in Prakrit and Jainology of 1983, Bibar University, Muzaffarpur.
