Ranchi: The Jharkhand government is in talks to set up a branch of the US-based Carnegie Mellon University in the state for intensifying the technology thrust.

State Chief Minister Arjun Munda on Saturday met Carnegie University Information Technology (IT) dean Pradeep Khosala in New Delhi to discuss plans for opening a branch in Jharkhand.

The first round of talks began in November last year when Munda was in the US.

The final round of talks is likely in May when Munda visits the US.

If the branch is set up, it will be the first of its kind in India and will have a research centre in various fields including information technology, nano technology and bio-technology.

Officials point out that the university has agreed to send the blueprint of its proposals. A team from the university will also visit Jharkhand in March.

The proposed university branch is likely to come up either at Ranchi or in Jamshedpur. "If the institute opens its branch in Jharkhand, it will give students of the state a chance to compete on a level playng field", Munda told mediapersons.