The Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) here celebrated its 60th foundation day on Tuesday in hybrid mode. Chief guest Agriculture Minister and university Pro-Chancellor Dr Arun Kumar Sahoo appreciated the series of activities and events planned to be organised during the Diamond Jubilee Year of the university.
Presiding over the meeting, OUAT Vice-Chancellor Dr Pawan Kumar Agrawal said the university has produced about 29,000 professional students and countless number of research outputs during last 59 years.
The university has developed a Krishi Kalinga Innovation Council for commercialisation of its developed technology and would in future develop a number of agripreneurs. Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, Dept. of Biotechnology, Union Ministry of Science & Technology, participated online as guest of honour and delivered the foundation day lecture.
She emphasised on helping the farmer to be technologically-empowered to make India free from hunger and malnutrition by 2030. She also said there need to be a mantra of converging researchers to entrepreneurs and industries with a new model of partnership. The university felicitated three successful farmers, three agri-entrepreneurs, the best research scientist, best woman scientist, best extension scientist and best Krishi Vigyan Kendra.
At the outset, Dr KK Rout, Dean, College of Agriculture, welcomed the guests and participants. Lopamudra Mohanty, Registrar, OUAT, proposed a vote of thanks.