The Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) recently organized an information seminar at Vellanikkara, Thrissur, with the objective of educating potential students and their parents about the new and exciting courses being offered. This initiative aims to provide students with a broader range of opportunities to enhance their employability in the fields of technology and entrepreneurship.
The inauguration of the seminar saw B. Ashok, Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of the university, emphasizing the potential of the new courses to open up avenues for education, career development, and research both within the country and abroad. He also highlighted the option for working professionals in the agricultural and allied sectors to pursue these courses through the distance learning mode.
T.P. Sethumadhavan, an education and career consultant, addressed the seminar about the shift from traditional agriculture to agribusiness, and the increasing role of technology in this transformation. He emphasized the various opportunities that technology interventions such as automation, Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, drone technology, data science, and sensor-based systems, including internet of things (IoT), can create for students in the field of agriculture.
Moreover, Sethumadhavan pointed out that courses in nutrition and dietetics, climate science, wildlife management, environmental science, agribusiness management, food industry management and quality control, and agriculture extension management can offer a plethora of prospects for students. He also highlighted the potential for Plus Two students to apply for diploma programs in agri-mechanisation and retail management, given the increasing demand for ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook food products.
In the current scenario where food security has become a pressing issue, hi-tech horticulture courses were also considered as a viable option to address the demand-supply imbalance in the sector. Dr. Sethumadhavan asserted that these courses could significantly contribute to resolving technology and trade-related issues and exports within the industry.
Looking beyond traditional agriculture, the post-COVID-19 phase has brought to the forefront many opportunities for life science courses. For instance, MSc courses in developmental economics hold the potential to strengthen agriculture and rural economy through stakeholder-based research initiatives. Similarly, courses in library and informatics and bioinformatics can equip students with the skills required to thrive in the knowledge economy and computational biology sectors.
Furthermore, PG diploma in integrated farm management was highlighted as a means to prepare agri and allied graduates for production-oriented programs, while integrated weed management was deemed as essential for maximizing production and productivity from agriculture. Additionally, MTech in renewable energy engineering was identified as a valuable option for engineering graduates seeking to excel in energy-based industries, start-ups, and academia.
The seminar also featured an introduction to the facilities available for delivering these new academic programs, as explained by the Director of Extension, Jacob John. With an audience of around 250 students and parents in attendance, the seminar proved to be a valuable platform for shedding light on the emerging opportunities in the realm of technology and entrepreneurship at Kerala Agricultural University.
In conclusion, the seminar at Kerala Agricultural University served as an insightful event that underlined the shift towards technology-driven opportunities in the field of agriculture and allied sectors. With an array of new courses being introduced, students now have the chance to explore diverse educational and career pathways that can equip them to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.