Former AIT professor receives Massey-Ferguson award
Prof. Gajendra Singh, former dean of AIT Extension and longtime AIT faculty is the recipient of the 2006 Massey-Ferguson Educational Award in recognition of his outstanding dedication and contributions as a highly effective leader and teacher of agricultural engineering. He is the first individual to receive the award from outside the United States.
An American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering fellow, Prof. Singh recently assumed the position as vice chancellor of Doon University in Dehradun, Uttranchal, India. Doon University was established in April 2005. As vice chancellor, he is responsible for all matters related to management and operation of the university. Prior to this position, Prof. Singh played a key role in the establishment of agricultural engineering education at AIT. Since that program's beginning in 1975, it has produced more than 900 master's- and 60 Ph.D.-level agricultural engineers, who are currently working in more than 40 countries within Asia and Africa.
While serving as deputy director-general (engineering), the highest position for an agricultural engineer in the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in New Delhi, India, Prof. Singh modernized the agricultural engineering curriculum in 24 institutions, with a collective enrollment of more than 1,200 students.
As the founding president of the Asian Association of Agricultural Engineering, Prof. Singh effectively brought together agricultural engineers, various other professionals, and allied organizations to promote the profession and education. He established a professional forum for these groups and individuals through publication of an internationally recognized journal and newsletter, as well as through conferences, workshops, seminars, training programs and exhibitions, securing the cooperation of agricultural engineering societies such as ASABE and International Commission of Agricultural Engineering. He has published extensively on agricultural engineering topics.
A 30-year member of ASABE, Prof. Singh has provided expertise to the International Affairs & Relations committee, Program committee, Service to International Members committee, Subsurface and Trickle Irrigation committee, and the Board of Trustees. He has received the ASABE Kishida International award and was elected a Fellow in 1998.
Prof. Singh's other awards and honors include the University of California's John Gilmore Award for Scholarship, Activities and International Understanding, and the Emil Mrak International award; Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers Gold Medal, and Commendation Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Education; and the Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology Most Distinguished Alumni award. He was elected a Fellow in the CIGR, the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences of India, the Institution of Engineers (India), and the Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers. He is a member and management committee member of the Club of Bologna.
Massey Ferguson Education Award Gold Medal will be presented to him at the International Annual Meeting at Portland, Oregon in July 2006.