Faculty Of Agriculture, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar

About Faculty Of Agriculture, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar

The Orissa University of Agriculture andTechnology (OUAT) was established in the city of Bhubaneswar in the year 1962. Today OUAT is the second oldest agricultural universityin the country. It is dedicated to agriculture related research, extension andeducation. At present, theUniversity has 8 constituent colleges. TheUniversity has separate wings for research, extension education and planning,monitoring & evaluation.

Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar offers Post Graduate programme in Agriculture Biotechnology and successful candidates are awarded M.Sc. (Ag) Biotechnology degree.

During the 2 years programme the students are exposed to both basic and applied aspects of biotechnology and taught in the multidisciplinary areas of Agricultural Biotechnology and allied fields of Biotechnology. The syllabus covers core courses in Molecular Biology, Techniques in Molecular Biology, Molecular Genetics, Principle of Genetic Engineering and Plant Tissue Culture. The optional courses like Enzyme Technology, Microbiology, Principle of Immunology and Immunodiagnostics, Industrial Biotechnology, Environmental Biotechnology, Gene regulation, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Tissue Culture of Forest and Horticulture crops, Biotechnology for crop Improvement and Biodiversity, IPR, Biosafety and Bioethics are provided. Minor courses in Plant Physiology, Plant Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Plant Breeding and Genetics are also included in the syllabus. Submission of these based on research findings of the student is essential for the degree programme. The areas of theses research include DNA fingerprinting, Marker-assisted selection, Transgenics, Gene cloning and Expression, Enzyme technology, In vitro techniques in crop improvement. Besides, the students have an opportunity to undertake training in National / International Institutions and reputed Biotechnology industries inside the country.

The Radhakrishnan University Education Commission of 1949 emphasised the need for establishing Agricultural Universities in India., Subsequently, the indo-American team consistitued under the Chairmanship of Dr. K.R. Damle (1955), the then Vice-president of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, suggested a system of education for Indian as followed in the Land Grant Colleges of USA. The Planning Commission Committee felt the inadequacy of trained personnel for substantial output in agricultural operations with the then set up of research, education and extension in Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and allied fields. In course of time, these recommendations led to the creation of the agricultural universities to accomplish the integration of teaching, research and extension.

In 1956, Dr. J.H. Longwell from the University of Misouri visited Orissa and had discussion with the State Government which resulted in a contract between the Government of India and the University of Missouri to provide assistance to the Agriculture and Veterinary Colleges of the State. In 1960, a decision was taken to establish an Agricultural University in Orissa in the pattern of the Land Grant Colleges of USA and Dr. Ide P. Trotter joined the Utkal Krishi Mahavidyalaya on 1st April, 1960, as a consultant in Educational Administration. President Elmer Ellies of the University of Missouri, visited the Agriculture and Veterinary Colleges of Orissa in 1961 and had discussion with the State Government for establishment of the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology.

In 1961, the Legislature of the State of Orissa enacted the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology Act, 1961 (Orissa Act 20 of 1961) with the object of establishing and incorporating a University of Agriculture and Technology for the agricultural education of the people of the State. The University took its birth on 24th August, 1962 when it was inaugurated by Prof. John K. Galbraith, the then U.S. Ambassador in India. The University came into operation from 1st February, 1963, when the two Govt. managed Colleges, the Utkal Krushi Mahavidyalaya and the Orissa College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry with their staff were transferred to the University. This Act passed in 1961, was later repealed in 1965 by the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology Act, 1665 )Orissa Act, 17 of 1965) which came into fore from the 3rd November, 1965.

In 1978, four Regional Research Stations were established under the "Orissa Agriculture Development Project (OADP) with World Bank funding at Bhubaneswar, Chiplima, Keonjhar and Semiliguda to undertake location specific research. Another 13 Adaptive Research Stations, one in each of the old revenue districts of the State were established to verify the research results generated in the Regional Research Stations.

VISION
OUAT is envisioned to be a globally recognised and locally relevant Premier Farm University in India providing leading-edge education, research, extension and outreach in agriculture and allied sciences that are life-enhancing, socially sensitive, environmentally responsible and economically beneficial in the current and emerging scenario of socio-economic-climatic-technological changes in India and globe. It will serve the state for providing template of sustainable agricultural development that would transform agriculture sector into the engine of growth of Odisha’s economy and provide livelihood security of farming community. The vision statement is paraphrased as follows.

MISSION : Activities accelerating upward trajectory of the University
OUATians have aspiration to greatly improve university activities producing skilled human resources including high caliber graduates with knowledge and expertise, develop relevant technology and provide appropriate services to the farming community, the pathway of which has to run through the plan characterised by desire to consolidate our strengths, to integrate further our research, educational and extension activities, to optimise our infrastructure and accelerate our success. It requires reorientation and restructuring the programmes. The activities are to be built up together by the staff and students in every part of the University to ensure continuance of the journey with great vigour, centering around the original commitment.