Ludhiana, February 16, 2019: After giving a new shape to Punjab’s Livestock sector through research, academics and extension delivery system for promotion of White and Blue Revolutions, Dr. A S Nanda relinquishes services as Vice- Chancellor of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University after completing his term. Dr Nanda a renowned Veterinary Scientist and Policy maker, was appointed Vice-chancellor in February 2015.
He has led the university through the commissioning of the new buildings and multispecialty veterinary hospital in campus and in the renewal of the Animal Husbandry Sector in Punjab. Working closely with State Government, Dr Nanda through his initiatives has helped thousands more farmers to access knowledge of Animal Husbandry Sector. With his enormous efforts Dairy, Fish Farming, Poultry and Pig Farming has become a first choice of farmers in region.
In a long inning of 40 years’ service (1979-2019), He served as teacher, researcher and scientific coordinator and hold positions of Animal Husbandry Commissioner, GOI, (2010-13), Vice-Chancellor of Nanaji Deshumukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur (MP).
Born in a small village Kanjali, near historical Kali Wein in Distt Kapurthala, he has meritorious academic record. After his graduation and Masters in Animal Reproduction from PAU Ludhiana, he completed his Fellowship of the Royal Veterinary College of Sweden (FRVCS) from Sweden in 1983 and Ph. D. from UK in 1989. He has the distinction of working as the Regional Expert on Animal Production at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Headquarters in Vienna, Austria, and as a Visiting Professor in Hiroshima University Japan and in University of SauPolo, Brazil. As consultant, Dr Nanda visited more than 35 countries. As Head of Department and as the Director for Centre of Advanced Studies in Veterinary Gynaecology and Reproduction, he gave leadership to applied research in animal reproduction. Dr Nanda has more than 200 publications in journals of national and international repute on his credit.
Born and brought-up in a small holders farming family, Dr Nanda is well aware of grassroots level dairy farming problems and during his long career, he always focused his research and its application on field related problems.
A number of MoUs with national and international organizations in his tenure enhanced capacity to initiate and participate in state, national and global research agenda. Training and retraining of manpower remained his visionary priority throughout this period. Now GADVASU is at number one, amongst the state agricultural universities in the country. Students also got the national recognition in sports and extra-curricular activities.
While explaining his thoughts for future Dr Nanda revealed that more dedication towards work may ample good results. Scientists should attempt for more research work and projects. We should keep in mind needs of farmers and end users. Right and effective education may be delivered to students and farmers. Effective and timely support from state machinery may reap more benefits. Need based research and extension activities are prerequisite condition of progress. ‘Live everyday with new desire and handover the baton with transmitting new dreams to the next generation, he added.’