Shimla: Himachal Pradesh has approved the opening of four more private universities in the state, officials said on Saturday.

"Letters of intent have been issued to the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysis of India, Hyderabad, Reetanand Balvaid Education Foundation, New Delhi, Centre for Advanced Study in Engineering Baddi, Solan and K.D. Educational Trust for opening four private universities," said P.C. Dhiman, principal secretary (education).

These universities, which will be set up at various places across the state, will focus on quality professional courses.

The state government had earlier this week given its nod for setting up two other private universities - one by the Chandigarh-based Chitkara Education Trust and the second by the Kalgidhar Trust.

All these institutes will have 15 percent reserved seats for Himachal Pradesh domicile students.

The government is examining several other proposals for setting up more private universities in the state, officials said.

There are currently three universities in the state - Himachal Pradesh University, an agriculture university in Palampur, a horticulture university at Solan and J.P. University in Solan district, the only private institute. IANS