MSU Expresses Interest to Strengthen its Ties with KAU

THRISSUR:Michigan State University (MSU) is looking forward for fostering collaboration with Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) in Academic and Research,  said  Dr Douglas D Buhler, Sr Associate Dean (Research), MSU. He was addressing the senior officers of KAU at Vellanikkara as part of an exposure visit undertaken by a team of scientists from MSU.

Dr Douglas said MSU has already signed an MoU with Indian Council of  Agricultural Research (ICAR) for collaborative projects under World Bank-aided National Agricultural  Education Project (NAEP).

“We are looking forward to build upon the existing linkage with KAU, especially in areas of mutual interest. This is also a part of high-level moves to strengthen the ties between the two countries,” he said.

Dr Karim Maredia, Professor, said that exchange of students and faculty, knowledge sharing through exposure visits by scientists and progressive farmers and combined research programmes in core areas of strength would be the ideal platforms for collaboration.

The 15-member team led by Dr Douglas D Buhler and Dr Karim Maredia visited selected units of KAU to have a direct understanding of the research programmes, outreach activities and  planting material production.

Dr P V Balachandran, KAU Registrar, briefed the delegation on the KAU system and different station heads outlined the functioning of KAU organs.

The MSU team was particularly impressed by the Food Security Army concept and small farm mechanisation tools. Production of seeds and planting materials was another activity which caught their attention.  The team was also taken to progressive farmers’ plots so as to familiarise with state’s traditional homestead farming system where jackfruit, cashew apple and nutmeg trees drew their attention.Director of research T R Gopalakrishnan, director of academic T E George, director of planning Sajan Kurien, associate directors of research Johnkutty, Jim Thomas and Devadas, associate director of extension Jose Mathew, associate deans Koshy Abraham, A Sukumaran and K Vidyasagar and other officers of the university attended the interactions.

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