TNAU inks MoU with Cornell University
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) will offer its first dual degree programme in association with Cornell University, Ithaca, the U.S. A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed on Wednesday at the TNAU.This programme that will integrate Cornell’s Master of Professional Studies (MPS) and TNAU’s Master of Technology (M. Tech.) will be offered in Food Processing and Food Marketing, to begin with. “In a bid to make farm graduates of the TNAU on a par with engineering and Information Technology (IT) graduates in terms of developing in them a global mindset, the university has embarked upon some path-breaking measures. This is the first time a State Agricultural University in India is entering into an MoU for a dual degree programme,” the university’s Vice-Chancellor C. Ramasamy said.“Cornell University is a leader in value addition and food processing. To start with, this course in food processing will be launched. Out of the four semesters, students will get to spend two at Cornell and two at TNAU,” the Vice-Chancellor added.
He said that agriculture was getting transformed globally. So, it called for transformation in agriculture education also.Susan A. Henry, Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, the U.S., said: “This is a path-breaking partnership. It will involve collaboration, both in research and education. Both our universities have a common interest to enhance the ilk of farmers and their community, students as well as the society at large. This partnership will work towards this goal.”The MoU was signed by Vice-Chancellor C. Ramasamy and Ms. Susan. K. Vijayaraghavan, Sathguru Management Consultants, and P. Santhanakrishnan, Registrar, TNAU, spoke.
