The Post Graduate Education at Assam Agricultural University is co-ordinated by the Directorate of PG Studies headquartered at Jorhat. According to the First Statutes framed under the AAU Act of 1968, this establishment aims at:
- To co-ordinate post-graduate studies in all Colleges, Departments and Sections of the University
- To effect general co-ordination of post-graduate thesis research programmes with the ongoing programme of the University’s agricultural research services through the Director of Research
- To supervise maintenance of records pertaining to Post-Graduate courses, instructions and students
Initially, the Directorate started functioning from Khanapara Campus with Dr. P. K. Sharma, as the first Director of Post Graduate Studies w.e.f. February 11, 1980 and later on it was shifted to Jorhat during October, 1985. Presently, the following five Colleges are offering PG programmes under four different Faculties of the University:
- College of Agriculture, Jorhat
- College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara, Guwahati
- College of Community Science, Jorhat
- College of Fisheries, Raha
- Biswa Nath College of Agriculture, Biswanath Chariali
During the interim period, a host of personalities led this establishment as the Director of Post Graduate Studies. Dedicated Academic Cells are also in place in all those Colleges to run the academic affairs relating to all PG students.
List of Directors of Post Graduate Studies under AAU
| # |
Name |
Period |
| 1 |
Dr. P. K. Sharma |
11-02-1980 to 30-09-1985 |
| 2 |
Dr. B. C. Borthakur (i/c) |
01-10-1985 to 23-02-1987 |
| 3 |
Dr. H. N. Sharma |
24-02-1978 to 31-03-1989 |
| 4 |
Dr. A. K. Roy |
01-04-1989 to 31-07-1991 |
| 5 |
Dr. D. N. Chakravarty (i/c) |
01-08-1991 to 06-10-1991 |
| 6 |
Dr. G. K. Roychoudhury |
07-10-1991 to 30-09-1993 |
| 7 |
Dr. M. N. Chetia (i/c) |
01-10-1993 to 02-03-1994 |
| 8 |
Dr. D. N. Chakravarty (i/c) |
03-03-1994 to 02-04-1995 |
| 9 |
Dr. D. N. Dutta (i/c) |
03-04-1995 to 14-10-1998 |
| 10 |
Dr. S. R. Baroova |
15-10-1998 to 08-07-1999 |
| 11 |
Dr. N. K. Mohan (i/c) |
09-07-1999 to 02-04-2000 |
| 12 |
Dr. Y. Rathaiah |
03-04-2000 to 15-01-2002 |
| 13 |
Dr. P. C. Deka (i/c) |
16-01-2002 to 05-01-2003 |
| 14 |
Dr. U. N. Saikia |
06-01-2003 to 02-10-2006 |
| 15 |
Dr. C. R. Sarkar (i/c) |
03-10-2006 to 22-04-2007 |
| 16 |
Dr. (Mrs.) A. Saikia (i/c) |
23-04-2007 to 06-01-2008 |
| 17 |
Dr. A. K. Pathak (i/c) |
07-01-2008 to 16-06-2008 |
| 18 |
Dr. Durgeswar Das |
17-06-2008 to 31-01-2012 |
| 19 |
Dr. L. K. Hazarika |
01-02-2012 to 30-08-2012 |
| 20 |
Dr. S. K. Dutta (i/c) |
01-09-2012 to 28-08-2013 |
| 21 |
Dr. C. Hazarika |
29-08-2013 to 31-08-2018 |
| 22 |
Dr. Ajit Baishya |
01-09-2018 to 31-05-2022 |
| 23 |
Dr. Jayanta Deka (i/c) |
01-06-2022 to 27-06-2022 |
| 24 |
Dr. A. K. Das |
Continuing since 28-06-2022 |
With introduction of Master's programme in Agronomy during 1960, the University has now grown to a huge educational hub for agriculture and allied sector in the entire NE region with more than 500 intake capacity (PG) every year.
Seat Intake (PG) for the year 2023 in different Colleges under AAU
| # |
Colleges |
Master's |
PhD |
| 1 |
College of Agriculture |
189 |
68 |
| 2 |
College of Veterinary Science |
116 |
54 |
| 3 |
College of Community Science |
33 |
06 |
| 4 |
College of Fisheries |
16 |
08 |
| 5 |
Biswa Nath College of Agriculture |
37 |
NIL |
| Total |
|
391 |
136 |
Over the years, the University has produced 6,368 Master’s and PhDs who are now well placed in diversified field of work right from the Line Departments to Civil Services to art & culture to media services to business & entrepreneurship in the entire country and abroad.
Programme-wise total numbers of post graduate students under AAU
| # |
Programme |
Student Passed out since inception |
| 1 |
M.Sc.(Agri) |
3,440 |
| 2 |
M.V.Sc. |
1,304 |
| 3 |
M.Sc.(Home/Community Science) |
448 |
| 4 |
M.F.Sc. |
45 |
| 5 |
MBA |
90 |
|
Total Master's |
5,327 |
| 1 |
Ph.D.(Agri) |
645 |
| 2 |
Ph.D.(Vety) |
331 |
| 3 |
Ph.D.(Home/Community Sc.) |
65 |
| 4 |
Ph.D.(Fishery) |
NIL |
|
Total PhD |
1,041 |
|
Grand Total |
6,368 |
The College of Agriculture has the unique distinction of offering first ever degree(s) in Tea Husbandry and Technology (THT). It awards Bachelor's, Master's and PhD degree in THT since long and quite a good numbers of students from the Middle East, Africa and South America got benefitted out of it. As of now, the Department has produced 140 Master’s and 14 PhDs. Besides, the College is also running MBA (Agri-business) programme since 2002-03 and the alumni of the Department have now become proficient academician as well as technocrat on their own right in the corporate world or have started their own venture. As many as 90 MBAs are now serving various sectors of the economy across the country. One can glance through the Departments offering PG degree programme with their year of starts under different Faculties of the University in the following Tables.
Programme-wise total numbers of post graduate students under AAU
|
Sl. No
|
Department/Programme
|
Year of Start of Department
|
Year of Start of Master’s degree
|
Year of Start of Ph.D. degree
|
|
1.
|
Agricultural Biotechnology
|
1998
|
1998
|
2010
|
|
2.
|
Agricultural Economics & Farm Management
|
1948
|
1972
|
1986
|
|
3.
|
Agric. Engineering
|
1948
|
2023
|
Not offered
|
|
4.
|
Agricultural Statistics
|
1988
|
1996
|
Not offered
|
|
5.
|
Agro-meteorology
|
1988
|
2012
|
Not offered
|
|
6.
|
Agronomy
|
1948
|
1960
|
1986
|
|
7.
|
Biochemistry & Agricultural Chemistry
|
1980
|
1987
|
2010
|
|
8.
|
Crop Physiology
|
1986
|
1987
|
2011
|
|
9.
|
Entomology
|
1948
|
1965
|
1986
|
|
10.
|
Extension Education
|
1961
|
1972
|
1986
|
|
11.
|
Horticulture
|
1948
|
1973
|
1986
|
|
12.
|
Floriculture & Landscaping
|
-
|
2022
|
2022
|
|
13.
|
Fruit Science
|
-
|
2022
|
2022
|
|
14.
|
Post Harvest Management
|
-
|
2022
|
2022
|
|
15.
|
Vegetable Science
|
-
|
2022
|
2022
|
|
16.
|
Food Science & Technology
|
Under Hort
|
2013
|
Not offered
|
|
17.
|
Nematology
|
1988
|
1988
|
1992
|
|
18.
|
Agricultural Statistics
|
1988
|
1996
|
Not offered
|
|
19.
|
Agro-meteorology
|
1988
|
2012
|
Not offered
|
|
20.
|
Food Science & Technology
|
Under Hort
|
2013
|
Not offered
|
|
21.
|
MBA (Agri-Business)
|
Under Ag Econ & FM
|
2002
|
Not offered
|
|
22.
|
Nematology
|
1988
|
1988
|
1992
|
|
23.
|
Plant Breeding & Genetics
|
1970
|
1972
|
1986
|
|
24.
|
Plant Pathology
|
1948
|
1965
|
1986
|
|
25.
|
Seed Science & Technology
|
Under PBG
|
2013
|
Not offered
|
|
26.
|
Sericulture
|
1986
|
1986
|
Not offered
|
|
27.
|
Soil Science
|
1982
|
1982
|
1986
|
|
28.
|
Tea Husbandry & Technology
|
1969
|
1972
|
2012
|
Departments offering M.V.Sc./Ph.D. Programme under the College of Vety. Science
|
Sl No
|
Department
|
Year of Start of M.V.Sc.
|
Year of Start of Ph.D. Programme
|
|
1
|
Animal Biotechnology
|
2010
|
2013
|
|
2
|
Animal Genetics & Breeding
|
1975
|
1975
|
|
3
|
Animal Nutrition
|
1968
|
1981
|
|
4
|
Animal Reproduction, Gynecology and Obstetrics
|
1968
|
1983
|
|
5
|
Livestock Production and Management
|
1968
|
1980
|
|
6
|
Livestock Products Technology
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
7
|
Poultry Science
|
1993
|
2000
|
|
8
|
Veterinary Anatomy & Histology
|
1982
|
1988
|
|
9
|
Veterinary Biochemistry
|
2008
|
2008
|
|
10
|
Veterinary Extension Education
|
1985
|
1995
|
|
11
|
Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Ethics & Jurisprudence
|
2008
|
2010
|
|
12
|
Veterinary Microbiology
|
1981
|
1988
|
|
13
|
Veterinary Parasitology
|
1975
|
1987
|
|
14
|
Veterinary Pathology
|
1974
|
1986
|
|
15
|
Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology
|
1985
|
2008
|
|
16
|
Veterinary Physiology
|
1969
|
1985
|
|
17
|
Veterinary Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine
|
2008
|
2010
|
|
18
|
Veterinary Public Health
|
2008
|
2010
|
|
19
|
Veterinary Surgery & Radiology
|
1973
|
1991
|
Note: There have been some changes in nomenclature of the Departments in respect of Serial Nos. 11, 17 and 18
Departments offering M.Sc. (Community Sc.)/Ph.D. under the College of Community Science
|
Departments
|
Year of start of M.Sc.
|
Year of start of Ph.D.
|
|
Extension and Communication Management
|
1998
|
2010
|
|
Family Resource Management
|
1991
|
2010
|
|
Food Science and Nutrition
|
1988
|
1999
|
|
Human Development and Family Studies
|
1988
|
2010
|
|
Textile and Apparel Designing
|
1988
|
2010
|
Departments offering M.F.Sc./Ph.D. under the College of Fisheries
|
Departments
|
Year of start of M.F.Sc.
|
Year of start of Ph.D.
|
|
Aquaculture
|
2011
|
2015
|
|
Aquatic Environmental Management
|
2016
|
2018
|
|
Fish Processing Technology
|
2018
|
2022
|
|
Fisheries Resource Management
|
2016
|
2020
|
Departments offering M. Sc. (Agri) under BNCA
|
Departments
|
Year of start of M.Sc.(Agri)
|
|
Agricultural Economics & Farm Management
|
2011
|
|
Agronomy
|
2013
|
|
Entomology
|
2020
|
|
Extension Education
|
2011
|
|
Horticulture:
|
2011 |
|
Fruit Science
|
2022 |
|
Post-Harvest Management
|
2022 |
|
Vegetable Science
|
2022 |
|
Plant Breeding & Genetics
|
2013
|
|
Plant Pathology
|
2020
|
Course Curricula
As an active partner of the National Agricultural Research and Education System (NARES), the AAU follows BSMA as accepted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Constant efforts are on to revamp the course curricula which can ensure acquiring of knowledge, skills, self confidence and entrepreneurship training to enable the students to contribute to social and national productivity, as envisioned in the New Education Policy, 2020. All academic activities including students’ disciplines are governed by the Regulations on Academic Matters for PG Programmes in AAU (Amended upto 2022).
International Students Advisory Cell (ISA Cell)
The International Students’ Advisory Cell (ISA Cell) was established in the year 2016 with a clear objective of promoting foreign students in pursuing different degree programmes in the University. Prior to establishment of the ISA Cell, a sizeable number of students from the Middle East and South Africa graduated from this University, particularly in the Department of Tea Husbandry & Technology under the Faculty of Agriculture. As many as 28 students from the countries like Afghanistan, Lesotho, Uganda, Vietnam, Fiji, Egypt, Syria, Ghana, Nigeria, Guyana, Bangladesh and Nepal have passed out from the University after the establishment of ISA Cell. At present, two international students are pursuing courses in different Departments under the Faculty of Agriculture (One in Agricultural Extension Education and the other in MBA programme).
The present intake of international students has been kept at 20 across the Faculties, which is extra-numeral in nature. The foreign students are entertained under two different channels, viz. a) admission under different multilateral/bilateral programmes through ICAR/ICCR and b) direct admission. And the admission procedure for both the channels are clearly indicated in the Information Bulletin published for admission purpose. The admission portal remains open round the year for international students. The University is also contemplating to launch a host of promotional measures in terms of award of Fellowship, Free air passage, fee waiver and the like to attract the foreign students in the year ahead.
Students Support
The University provides excellent support to the deserving students for their academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities together with overall personality development. A strong pool of 664 faculties, well-equipped library services with digital access, world class lab facilities, exclusive welfare/fitness services (Swimming/Gym/Yoga/NCC/NSS/Advisement & Counselling) and ICT-support have made it possible to create an ambience to deliver the deliverables. Collaboration with more than 209 national and international institutes/Universities, has added an extra edge to the students and faculties for resource/expertise sharing across the country and beyond. On financial front as well, the University offers Merit Scholarship and contingency support to a large chunk of students (Both in terms of number and amount), which can hardly be seen in any of the public Universities in the country. Besides, the recipients of many other prestigious Fellowships like INSPIRE, Ishan Uday, NTS, JRF, JRF etc are in plenty which conform to the recommendations of the NEP 2020. Going by the digital way, hundred percent of the students are now getting their degree certificates and transcripts through Digilocker and majority of them are now connected to ABC portal.
Way Forward
In the advent of NEP 2020, there will be new challenges, right from professional standard setting to internationalization of education to multiple entry/exit to equivalence of degrees to resource availability. And for that matter every University has to be prompt enough to play its onerous role to plan and orient itself accordingly to create an enabling ecosystem on the basis of the guiding principles of access, equity, quality, affordability and accountability. The AAU, in order to address the impending challenges has already charted out its activities and initiated timely measures for amendment of Act and Statutes for good governance, signing of agreements/MoUs with reputed agencies and Universities for increased collaboration, launching of elaborate programme for faculty development and students exposure visits & training in India and abroad.
