New VC of TNAU's immediate goal is to assess damage caused by Cyclone Gaja

Newly assumed Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) Vice Chancellor Dr N Kumar said his immediate  goal is to involve TNAU in assessing damages caused by the cyclone GAJA in agricultural holdings (about 1,00,000 ha), develop suitable plans and policies for restoration and join hands with other Government machinery including Department of Agriculture in relief measures.

In a press statement on Saturday Dr N Kumar said his overall aim is to facilitate successful implementation of all Government Schemes for achieving sustained increase in food production in the state and to make agriculture as a profitable venture to the farmers.

He said in education, he wanted to enhance employability of students through imparting skill oriented world-class education, Introducing demand driven courses to improve marketability of our graduate, establishing Skill Development / Entrepreneur Development Centers for students, farmers and other stake holders and to make TNAU as a preferred destination for other state and neighboring country students to pursue their higher education.

Dr Kumar said in Research side he wanted to promote need based product oriented research for doubling the farmer's income under changing climate and shrinking land, developing model ?System of Crop Intensification? for Pulses and Oilseeds to increase the productivity of pulses in Tamil Nadu Intensifying research on input use efficiency, high density planting,direct seeded rice, automation in agriculture etc., Strengthening research infrastructure in all regional campuses of TNAU.

He wanted to increase both the number and quality of publications to improve ranking of TNAU globally, enhancing institutional prominence through attracting externally funded projects and to enhance collaboration with other leading global and domestic universities.

He said his motto is to provide encouraging, engaging and empowering environment to the students, researchers, faculty and all staffs of TNAU to deliver their maximum, the statement added.