PATNA, June 18 -- The Bihar government on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding with Hyderabad-based Centre for Research in Schemes and Policies (CRISP) for starting an Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP) in 13 colleges of five state universities. It will start in selected colleges from the academic session 2026-27 in the first phase to boost employability, officials said, adding that the decision was taken at a meeting held under the chairmanship of additional chief secretary to the governor at Lok Bhavan, Deepak Kumar Singh. Singh said specified AEDP courses would start in 13 colleges of Patna University, Pataliputra University, BRA Bihar University, TM Bhagalpur University and Lalit Narayan Mithila University in accordance with UGC guidelines and NEP, and will be equivalent to a graduation degree. CRISP founding member Radhey Shyam Julania, 1985-batch MP cadre IAS officer, said that AEDP would offer a four-year graduation programme blending 75% academic knowledge and 25% industrial skill. Third year will have mandatory apprenticeship with Rs.12,300 month stipend. Bihar already signed a MoU with Board of Practical Training for the stipend. Officials said CRISP is a non-profit research and policy organisation founded by former senior civil servants to improve government social sector welfare delivery and higher education ecosystem transformations....