KAU Newsletter April 2013.Pdf
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Fitting farewell to a Popular VC Speakers hail contributions, humane approach of Dr.K.R.Viswambharan courses, created a farmer friendly face and highly innovative, he had a passion for the University, cared for the inter- to the downtrodden. His approach is nal population and stakeholders alike worth emulating. I enjoyed my stint as and collected many awards. His Executive Committee member with tenure was a landmark phase in KAU’s him’, the MLA said. history’. Padmasree Bharath Mammutty said ‘The kole land project, Food secu- that Viswambharan handled every rity army concept and proposal for responsibility entrusted with him in a Green cadet Corps in schools would unique manner. ‘He was our leader in not have materialised but for his posi- College life. He continued to play that Perhaps the most relevant tributes Minister for Agriculture, K. P. tive thinking and pragmatic approach. role in all walks of life. I am eager to see came from Mohanan, Unni and Mohanan described Dr. K. R. Viswam- I hope I can rely on his experience Viswanathan, farmer representatives what he is upto after March 28’, bharan as a model administrator who and thinking in future as well. I wish from Palakkad who came all the way to Mammutty quipped while handing over knew the pulse of common people. him all the very best in future greet a distinguished friend. They also an album of events during Dr. Inaugurating the public meeting endeavours’ K.P.Mohanan elaborated. carried special mementoes to the Vice- Viswambharan’s tenure to him. held to bid farewell to the outgoing The Minister also presented a Chancellor whom they called as ‘our VC, the Minister said that K.R. memento to Dr. Viswambharan on K.R. Jyothilal IAS, Secretary (Agricul- motivator’. Dignitaries such as Thrissur Viswambharan possessed an out- behalf of KAU Community. ture) said that he wish to take advan- Corpn. Mayor I.P.Paul, Dist.. Panchayath standing ability to convert confronta- M.P. Vincent, MLA in his presidential tage of the congenial atmosphere President K. V. Dasan, CUSAT VC Dr. tion to conciliation. ‘He handled many address said that K.R. Viswambharan K.R. Viswambharan created in KAU. Ramachandran Thekkedath, KUFOS VC volatile situations with aplomb. In KAU is the most popular VC, Kerala has ever ‘I appreciate his humane approach and Dr. B. M. Kurup, District Collector he launched several new generation seen. ‘Down to earth, very practical abilities. I wish him all the best’. (Cont’d on page 3) Academic Performance Seedless K.R. Jyothilal assumes Watermelon KAU Bags National Award Again Developed Charge as KAU VC When Kerala Agricultural Univer- future also.’ K. R. Jyothilal Scientists at De- sity Vice-Chancellor Dr. K. R. abeaming IAS, Secretary partment of Oleri- Viswambharan received the ICAR Dr.Viswam- to Govern- culture, College of academic performance award from bharan said. ment (Agricul- Horticulture, KAU Union Minister for Agriculture on Agricul- ture) has have succeeded in developing the 17 Feb’12 it came as a double delight tural Minis- taken over ad- first yellow fleshed seedless water- for him. ter Sharad ditional charge of KAU Vice- melon hybrid in India. The award cake itself was sweet Union Minister Sharad Pawar Pawar and congratulates KAU VC Chancellor with effect from 28 Feb- The accomplishment was but the icing on it is that Dr. Viswam- ICAR Direc- achieved through a KSCSTE ruary following the completion of bharan himself was Vice- Chancellor tor General Dr. S. Ayyappan lauded tenure of Dr. K.R. Viswambharan. funded research project entitled on all five occasions, which is also a the achievement of KAU. K. P. Developing Seedless watermelon unique feat . ‘I am proud of the KAU Mohanan, Minister for Agriculture, Governor and Chancellor of the suitable to Kerala through poly- community in general and students Kerala and Pro Chancellor of KAU University ordered the charge arrangement pending appointment ploidy and mutation breeding. It and teachers in particular. I wish KAU also hailed the unique feat of secur- of a regular Vice-chancellor. (Cont’d on page 3) will continue with the good work in ing the award for five years in a row. INSIDE Budget Plans New faculties, Courses and Centres Page 2 th KAU budget 2012-13 envisages gateway to 12 plan, M.P. Vincent MLA A media centre, Agri-super bazar, tech- Academic Council, Special establishment of new infrastructural highlighted the academic and nology museum, international training Central aid, KAU-Oushadhi facilities, modernisation of administra- research accomplishments of the uni- institute, Annual farmers’ science con- Tie up, Climate Academy, tion and strengthening of academic, versity during the past five years. The gress and mega agri fairs are also en- Record Yield, Workshop on Agri research and extension activities. budget envisages Affiliated Colleges, visaged. Export New PG programmes, agri polyclinics Presenting a 332.92 crore budget Students’ facilities will be upgraded, Page 3 rd in all Regional stations and efforts to in the 113 meeting of KAU General new central placement cell will come IFS First Rank, ICRISAT MoU, popularise farm mechanisation. Council held at College of Agricul- into being and convocation will be ISO Accreditation to lab, KVK ture, Vellayani Executive Committee In the Research arena, focus will be made an annual affair. Plan meet member M.P.Vincent MLA, thanked the on hi-tech agriculture, protected culti- Dr.K.R. Viswambharan, Vice-Chan- Page 4 vation and precision farming. Research Union Government for the special cellor, addressing his last GC, thanked Minister launches new grant and Sate Government for Centres for vegetables and fruits are one and all for the support extended planned under Idukki package. programmes, Recognition for enhancement of non-plan grant. to him during his tenure. He hoped KAU Scientist, PoP 2011 Extension will be strengthened and that the University will achieve fur- release, Agri web portal Terming the 2012-13 budget as the activities of K V Ks will be streamlined. ther heights in the years to come. Academic Council Moots increase in stipends; Foundation New Department & PG Course in Seed technology Stone laid for KAU Academic Council meeting to recast syllabi of all courses in tune will henceforth receive Rs. 8,000 per held on March 13 decided to with global trends’, said Dr.K.R month for the RAWE programme. Climate Academy enhance grants and stipends to stu- Viswambharan, Vice-Chancellor. They were being paid just Rs. 1,500 Minister for Agriculture K.P. Mohanan dents and establish a new Depart- The annual research contingency per month. laid the foundation Stone for Academy ment of Seed technology at College fund for M.Sc. students will be The meeting chaired by of Climate Change Education and of Horticulture (CoH), Vellanikkara, enhanced from Rs.15,000 to Rs. Vice-Chancellor was attended by Research. In a function held at KAU and a PG course in the discipline. HQ on 26 March, Minister stressed the 40,000 and that for PhD scholar from Dr. P. B. Pushpalatha, Registrar; relevance of climate change education ‘The new department will facili- Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 60,000. The Dr. P. K. Asokan, Director (Academic); and offered all help to the academy . tate more studies and research in this fellowship for PG will be raised from Deans of faculties and Directors of thrust area. KAU is looking forward Rs. 700 to Rs. 1,500 while Ph.D. fel- Extension and Research and elected Dr. K.R. Viswambharan, Vice-Chan- cellor; K.R. Jyothilal IAS, Secretary (Agri- to institute more new job oriented lowship will be raised from Rs. 800 to representatives of Teachers and culture); Dr. P. B.Pushpalatha, Registrar; and need based courses. We also wish Rs. 2,000 per month. UG students Students. Dr. T. R. Gopalakrishnan, Director of Research; Dr. P.V. Balachandran, Direc- HUNDRED CRORE SPECIAL CENTRAL AID FOR KAU tor of Extension; Dr. Sverup John, Dean (Agri); T.S. Majeed, Comptroller and In the wake of announcement of feelings. ‘We all know that KAU has other officers of the University partici- a 100 crore special grant by Union been ranked top in the country con- pated. The Academy building to house Government to KAU the Univer- secutively for the last five years. The lecture halls, labs and offices will be built sity Community accorded a grand research contributions has been rec- at KAU Campus at a cost of 3crores. reception to P. C.Chacko MP in ognized the world over. The Kannur recognition of his invaluable help. KVK was judged the best among all Record yield in the KVKs in the nation. Let me thank ‘We are grateful to the Union P.C.Chacko MP for the invaluable help’. Farm trials with Government and Agricultural Mini- Factmix ster. We acknowledge and appreci- P.C. Chacko, in his address said that P.C.Chacko MP being received by ate the help of P.C.Chacko MP, who the grant, if utilized properly, will Vice-Chancellor & MLA attract more support from the centre. The collaborative field experiment of was instrumental in realizing this University officers such as Registrar, ‘Prove your capabilities and pave way KAU Communication centre and FACT dream. Though KAU’s accomplish- Comptroller, Directors of Extension, has yielded record crop of paddy in for more funding. KAU is one among ments have been consistent, this is the two Universities sanctioned such Research, Academic, Physical Plant and Alappuzha, Thrissur and Palakkad the first time that the achievements a grant this year. I’ll be with you and Planning; Associate Deans of Colleges; districts. are acknowledged’, said Dr. we together should be able to raise Associate Directors; Leaders of Service Factmix, a crop customized fertilizer K.R.Viswambharan, Vice-Chancellor.