Signing the MoA, AIT President Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai stated
that AIT was happy to forge this linkage and that he looks forward to
receiving students from CoA. Signing the agreement on behalf of former
Indian Minister Mr. Sharad Pawar was Mr. Rajendra Dinkarrao Pawar,
Chairman of Agricultural Development Trust and Vice President of
Maharashtra State Grape Growers Association. The former Minister, who
was scheduled to arrive at AIT for the signing ceremony, was
hospitalized two days prior the event due to a medical condition.
Prof. Worsak wished an early recovery for Mr. Sharad Pawar, and sent
the best wishes from the AIT community. Mr. Rohit Rajendra Pawar, CEO,
Baramati Agro Industries thanked Prof. Worsak for his wishes stating
that the former Minister was recuperating. “He (Sharad Pawar) wanted to
visit AIT, but was unable to travel due to medical advice,” he said.
Prof. Worsak also suggested that AIT’s neighbouring Science Park is
creating a food innovation polis, and companies like Baramati Agro can
establish their presence at the Science Park. Prof. Worsak was also
presented with a copy of the recently released autobiography of Sharad
Pawar titled "On My Terms: From Grassroots to the Corridors of
Power."
The agreement signed between AIT and CoA paves the way for offering
the Unified International Bachelor-Master Degree Program (UIBMDP).
According to the agreement, students will complete eight semesters of
undergraduate study in India, following which they will join AIT for
the Master’s degree program. The program will be spread over a minimum
of five years. AIT will offer Master’s programs in Agribusiness
Management (ABM) and Agricultural Systems and Engineering (ASE) under
this partnership.
Mr. Nilesh Ashokrao Nalawade, Principal, College of Agriculture,
stated that the MoU was the result of a previous visit by Mr. Rajendra
Pawar and himself to AIT, where they started discussing the issue of a
partnership with Dr. Peeyush Soni of AIT’s School of Environment,
Resources and Development (SERD).
The four-member delegation also included Ms. Jaya Tiwari, Principal,
College of Agribusiness. AIT was represented by Prof. Worsak; Prof.
Sivanappan Kumar, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Prof. Rajendra
Shrestha, Dean, SERD; Prof. Nitin Tripathi, Director, Special Degree
Programs; Dr. Peeyush Soni, Dr. K R Salin, Dr. Avishek Dutta, and Dr.
John K. M. Kuwornu of SERD; Mr. Shawn Patrick Kelly, Acting Head,
External Relations and Communications Office (ERCO); and Mr. Arthur
Lance Otadoy Gonzales of ERCO.
For more details about CoA, please visit their website: http://www.agricollegebaramati.org/abt_college.php
