Hyderabad, Nov 19 : Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) has joined hands with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to empower madrasa students in Bihar. Under the Adolescent Education Programme (AEP), students of madrasas in Bihar will be helped to acquire scientific, technical and social skills. Jamia Millia Islamia and the Bihar State Madrasa Board are the other partners in the programme. The inauguration of the state-level training for the AEP was held in Patna on Wednesday. More than 84 master trainers and facilitators from 12 districts of Bihar attended the programme. The pilot was launched last year in two districts of Purnia and Katihar and following its successful implementation, the Bihar government decided to expand AEP to the entire state. The selected master trainers and facilitators are undergoing training from November 18 to 24 at the Youth Hostel in Patna. Abdul Qayyum Ansari, Chairman, Bihar State Madrasa Board said that AEP is an ideal programme that will pave the way for the young generation to develop critical thinking and become responsible citizens. The programme will also help them to adapt to modern requirements. Programme Director, Prof. Mohd Shahid of the MANUU stated that the programme will help students not only to equip themselves with the present day requirements but also acquire scientific, technical and social skills to lead a successful life. Dr. Nadeem Noor of the UNFPA said that farsightedness is required to be a part of the inevitable change. For this we have to prepare ourselves so that the dream of a bright and radiant future can be realized, he added. /IANS