Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai has received a two-year extension as the Vice Chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Shalimar. The announcement was made by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha, who also serves as the Chancellor of SKUAST-K. An official order (No: LGS/19/SC/JU/2021/5595-5602), dated 13 December 2024, confirmed the extension, which will take effect from 16 December 2024, following the completion of Prof Ganai’s current term.
The order states: “In exercise of the powers vested in me, under Section 25 (2) of Sher-I-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Act, 1982, I, Manoj Sinha, Chancellor, SKUAST Kashmir, hereby extend the tenure of Prof Nazir Ganai, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST Kashmir, for a period of two years with immediate effect from 16.12.2024, the date of completion of his existing term as the Vice Chancellor, SKUAST Kashmir.”
The announcement sparked celebrations across SKUAST-K. Teaching and non-teaching staff, along with students, expressed their joy and gratitude, transforming the campus into a festive scene. Prof Ganai extended his thanks to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for their confidence in his leadership. He emphasised his commitment to advancing education, research, and innovation, aiming to position SKUAST-K as a globally recognised institution of excellence.
Prof Ganai, born in 1965, has been instrumental in introducing transformative policy initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir’s agricultural sector. Among these is the ₹5012-crore Holistic Agricultural Development Program (HADP). He also played a key role in securing SKUAST-K’s prestigious ₹30-crore World Bank ICAR-funded project under the National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP), which later became a World Bank case study for its effective implementation and visionary approach.
Another significant achievement of Prof Ganai’s tenure was the internationalisation of education at SKUAST-K. The International Education Fair organised under this initiative received commendation from the External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar. Under his leadership, SKUAST-K introduced modern courses such as BTech in Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture, BSc in Microbiology, and BSc in Economics and Data Science. The university also established state-of-the-art facilities like an Incubation Centre and a Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI & ML). Additionally, Prof Ganai prioritised transdisciplinary and translational research, innovative extension strategies, and youth skill development.
With over 30 years of experience in teaching, research, and extension, including 11 years as a Professor, Prof Ganai holds a PhD in Genetics and Breeding from the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. He completed postdoctoral research at Wageningen University of Research (WUR), Netherlands, and has served in various administrative roles, including Director of Planning and Monitoring at SKUAST-K.
Prof Ganai has been awarded several prestigious fellowships, including a joint fellowship on academic leadership from IIT Roorkee and Michigan University, USA (2018), the Durham International Fellowship from Durham University, UK (2016), and the Erasmus Mundus Fellowship from Wageningen University, Netherlands (2009). He has also been a visiting fellow at Wisconsin State University, USA (2012).
As an accomplished academic, researcher, and administrator, Prof Ganai has significantly contributed to shaping SKUAST-K’s vision. His efforts aim to transform the potential of graduate students into a generation of skilled, innovative, and forward-thinking leaders equipped to address the challenges of tomorrow.
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