Aligarh: The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) witnessed a significant milestone with the inauguration of the Nodal Cell, funded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi. The facility was inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Naima Khatoon, during a ceremony attended by faculty members, non-teaching staff, and students from undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes.
Prof. Naima Khatoon commenced the festivities with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, accompanied by the Chairpersons of all departments and the Co-ordinator of the Centre of Agriculture Education (CAE).
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Naima Khatoon lauded the progress achieved by the faculty within a short span and reiterated the vital role of agricultural research and extension in ensuring national food and nutrition security. She emphasised the imperative of implementing the “lab to land” approach and announced the sanction of new teaching positions for the faculty – a development poised to significantly enhance the quality of agricultural education and research at AMU.
Welcoming the Vice Chancellor, Dean of the faculty Prof. Akram A. Khan expressed deep appreciation for her support in elevating the stature of the university and particularly the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. He highlighted the faculty’s growth from four departments to offering 17 diverse academic programmes, including B.Sc. Agriculture (Hons.).
Prof. Khan underlined the strategic significance of establishing the Nodal Cell, emphasising its potential in advancing scientific research and facilitating the transfer of innovations from laboratory to the fields, thereby contributing to India’s food security and sustainable farming systems.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Mujeebur Rahman Khan, who commended the Vice Chancellor’s vision and commitment to promoting agricultural sciences. The programme was conducted by Dr. Mariyam Fatima, Assistant Professor, Department of Home Science.
