KOLKATA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee will lay the foundation stone of a new university , which will be named after Mahatma Gandhi, in East Midnapore on October 2. The state will also get four more universities , one each in Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, South Dinajpur and Murshidabad.“The state government has decided to set up a university in East Midnapore — the first in the district — that will be named after Mahatma Gandhi,” state education minister Partha Chatterjee said after Friday’s cabinet meeting. “A 20-acre plot in Kapaseria mouza in Mahishadal block, part of Haldia subdivision – located on National Highway 41 — has been earmarked for the university,” a senior cabinet minister said.“The setting up of the university would be a big boon to the students from the district as they would now be able to pursue post-graduate and doctoral studies closer home. Students from the district have always fared very well in secondary and higher secondary exams and now, a university is being built for them,” another minister said.Speaking on the other varsities, Chatterjee ssaid: “We have asked the district magistrates to identify land and start the process of acquiring them. Once the acquisition is done, we will start the construction work. Once these institutions are built, the number of universities in the state will go up to 28.”When asked about the courses, he added, “This will be general university where students can pursue undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees. We are thinking of bringing some colleges under these universities but that has not been finalised yet.”