Kolkata, Aug 27 (IANS): Presidency University here is in talks with Bangladesh's Dhaka University for forming a collaborative centre of studies in culture and literature, a top official said Tuesday.

"Discussions are underway between the Dhaka University and Presidency University for a joint centre for studies in culture and literature of the two countries," Presidency University Vice Chancellor Malabika Sarkar told IANS.

According to Sarkar, the Bengali department of Dhaka University has approached Presidency to set up a collaborative centre - a step that will foster links with Bangladesh.

"The vice-chancellor of Dhaka University is personally very interested in the project based on the culture and literature of the two Bengali speaking nations," said Sarkar.

"Its in the discussion stage...nothing has been finalised," added Sarkar.

The 196-year-old institution, earlier known as Presidency College, marked its first convocation Aug 22 post its upgradation to a university in 2010.

Presidency University has its roots in the Hindu College, established in 1817. It was christened Presidency College in 1855.

The previous Left Front government in the state upgraded it as a university in 2010.

Its alumni include Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Subhas Chandra Bose, Satyajit Ray, Marxist leader Jyoti Basu and India's first president Rajendra Prasad.