From left- Prof. S. Kumar (Dean, SERD), Prof. V. M. Salokhe (Former
AAAE President and Award Recipient), Prof. Nobutaka Ito (AAAE
President) and Prof. Jun Sakai (Award Founder)
The first Asian Association for Agricultural Engineering
(AAAE)-Sakai Science and Technology Award was presented to Prof. Vilas M. Salokhe of School of
Environment, Resources and Development (SERD) on 3 December 2007 during
the 9th International Agricultural Engineering Conference at AIT. The
award recognizes Prof. Salokhe’s valuable contributions to the
development of human resources in the postgraduate education and
researches in the field of agricultural engineering science &
technology.
The presentation ceremony was issued in the Noki Shimbun newspaper
(published by Shin-norinsha Co., Ltd., Tokyo) on 1 January 2008.
In continuation of this tradition, AAAE-Sakai Science and Technology
Award was established by Prof. Jun
Sakai during the 2005 International Agricultural Engineering
Conference. Prof. Sakai is a distinguished academician from Japan
and a Foundation Member of AAAE. This award is intended to
provide distinction and recognition to individuals with outstanding and
commendable contributions to agricultural engineering research &
development.
An independent evaluation committee declared Prof. Vilas M. Salokhe as
the first recipient.
Prof Salokhe is currently a Full Professor at AIT since
1996. He is the founder member and former President of the
AAAE. He obtained professional degrees in agricultural
engineering during 1974, 1983 and 1986 with scholarly meritorious
performance. More than 20 awards and distinction are to his
credit. Prof. Salokhe is a Life member/Fellow of nearly all
prominent agricultural engineering societies/associations. In
addition, he has an extensive editorial experience with numerous
reputed journals. He has supervised more than 85 Masters and 20
PhD scholars. He has likewise authored more than 125 research
papers in peer reviewed international refereed journals, which excludes
another above 200 miscellaneous publications.