After completion of hundred days of joining as Vice Chancellor of Birsa Agriculture University (BAU), Ranchi, Omkar Nath Singh set some priorities for the university for the New Year.
Singh's top priority will be improvement in quality of teaching. He said that teachers should consult the latest books and research journals and come to class well prepared.“The decade old lecture notes will not yield desired results. Class rooms will be equipped with the latest teaching aids and fund will not be a limiting factor for this purpose. Teachers will be encouraged to visit leading agricultural universities and research institutes to have firsthand knowledge of the teaching practices and research laboratories for replicating the modern practices here. Offices, class rooms, laboratories and hostels of the seven new colleges will be furnished to suit the modern requirements," Singh said.The VC said that during eight months of COVID, over 170 educational videos on UG, PG course curriculum of Agriculture, Veterinary and Forestry faculties were prepared and uploaded on YouTube of BAU. "Preparation and uploading of such educational videos will continue in the year 2021 also to see that almost all the important topics are covered and students enrich their knowledge sitting at home itself as per their convenient schedule. The YouTube channel of BAU has over five thousand subscribers and more than 2.5 lakh viewers consisting of students, teachers, researchers and others having interest in agriculture and allied activities," he added.Singh said that a document entitled ‘Basket of Technologies’ containing all the technologies, varieties, animal breeds developed and important recommendations made since inception of colleges under BAU will be brought out in next 3-4 months. "A proforma has been circulated to all scientists for submission of important research findings to be included in the proposed document. Ongoing experiments under Plan, Non Plan head will be reviewed and unworthy ones will be modified, abandoned. Scientists have been advised to incorporate local needs also in the AICRP experiments and set targets for next 3-4 years about what can we contribute in the form of technology, varieties, recommendations. I have instructed my scientists to devote adequate time in their fields of research trials also; this will improve the accuracy of their research data, work efficiency of technical and supporting staff deployed in the field and ultimately the research programme," he added.
"Eight new research projects were sanctioned to BAU under RKVY during the current financial year. Similarly, three new extension projects were sanctioned to the University by different agencies during COVID period. Effective steps are being initiated for their time-bound effective implementation during the New Year," the VC said.
Speaking about extension education Singh said that over 85 percent farmers of the State are small and marginal. "Our focused attention will be on extending area-specific, low-cost, system-responsive farm technologies to their door step. Besides the Directorate of Extension Education, all the 16 Krishi Vigyan Kendras are alert on this front. Advisory service is also available on telephone and WhatsApp," he added.