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College of Dairy Science & Technology (CDST), Mannuthy Regains ICAR Accreditation!

Happy News! College of Dairy Science & Technology (CDST), Mannuthy, regains ICAR accreditation! The official order (F.No.Edn 1/5/2012-EQR dated 11.04.2017) by Dr. Narendra Singh Rathore, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Education), Indian Council of Agriculture Research, New Delhi, declaring accreditation to the college has been received here today.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is the autonomous national apex body responsible for co-ordinating agricultural education and research in India. In that regard, getting accredited by ICAR is an important milestone as far as the growth of the college is concerned.

However, after the visit of the Peer Review Team (PRT) by the ICAR to Kerala Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (KVASU) during 2015-16, the accreditation of College of Dairy Science and Technology, Mannuthy was deferred for want of certain minimum essential facilities (class rooms, laboratories, and most vitally, the faculty position) in the institution. Drastic increase in BTech seats from 40 to 100 without ensuring facilities and faculties had hurled huge hue and cry. However, the continuous and zealous efforts taken by the Dean, Dr. Girish Varma and his team along with the substantial support of University Authorities and the members of Board of Management, under the strong guidance of Adv. V.S. Sunil Kumar, Hon. Minister for Agriculture, Govt of Kerala, who is also in charge of KVASU, have ultimately recouped the fallen feather.

Firm steps to resume the student admission from 100 to 40 and completion of own building [the new Verghese Kurien Institute of Dairy & Food Technology (VKIDFT) building named after the Great Dr. Verghese Kurien, the ‘Father of Indian White Revolution’ and ‘Milkman of India’] were the major steps to regain the lost accreditation. Sanctioning of sufficient teaching positions and fresh appointment of teaching staff, and adopting the new ICAR norms and syllabus for the BTech programme (according to the fifth Deans Committee Report of ICAR) were the additional steps that made this accomplishment happen.

The entire community of CDST including students, teachers, ministerial and supporting staff and PTA officials, gathered at the open air stage near the Academic Block of the college to celebrate the occasion. The meeting was presided by Prof. Dr. Girish Varma, the Dean, who congratulated all faculty members, ministerial and supporting staff, students and PTA members for their continuous support and team work. Prof. Dr. P.I. Geevarghese, former Dean of the college, who was also the Chief Guest of the day, released the ICAR order conferring accreditation.  Dr.Rajendra Kumar, Prof. Dr. P.I. Geevarghese, Dr. G. Girish Varma, Dr. P. Sudheer Babu, Dr. S.N. Rajakumar and Dr. A.K. Beena were honoured by the students on the occasion.

Dr. P.Sudheer Babu, Dr. S.N. Rajakumar, Dr. A.K. Beena, Sri. P.R. Babu, President, PTA and Kum. Haritha, President, Student’s Union  felicitated. Mr. Aswin S. Warrier, Assistant Professor made the welcome speech, Mrs. K.B. Divya, Assistant Professor was given the vote of thanks.