The ICAR-IIHR in Bengaluru has evolved into a significant academic centre under IARI, introducing Ph.D. programs since 2014-15. Now, it's branching out further by offering M.Sc. programs along with Ph. D program across eight disciplines (Fruit Science, Vegetable Science, Floriculture and Landscaping, Post-harvest technology, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Plant Physiology, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology) for the first time under the umbrella of Bengaluru academic hub. The recent academic year, 2023-24, welcomed a cohort of students: 12 M.Sc. candidates and 17 Ph.D. candidates initially in the first round on 16th& 20thNovember 2023, followed by 10 M.Sc. candidates and 7 Ph.D. candidates in the second round on 28th November 2023.
Under the guidance of Professor Dr. Sanjay Kumar Singh, the Director of ICAR-IIHR Bengaluru, students were given valuable advice to excel in their academic pursuits. Dr. Prakash Patil PC (fruits), Dr. M. Sankaran (Hub Coordinator), Dr. R Venugopalan (Chairman PGE cell) and Heads of Divisions, extended a warm reception to the newcomers.
To familiarize the students with the campus and its resources, an orientation program spanning from November 16th to November 30th, 2023, was organized. This encompassed various activities:
- Dr Mandakranta Bhattacharya, Medical Officer, conducted medical test to the students. Dr Rajiv Kumar, led the offline registration process assisted by Dr Sridhar Gautam, Mr S.M.A. Ahamed and Mr Chandrashekaraiah K. online registration processes led by Dr. R. Venugopalan, Chairman PGE Cell.They were ably assisted by AAo(PGE) and senir students,
- Tours exposing students (MSc Students on 20th and PhD students on 21st November 2023) to institute-wide facilities such as Academic/Research/Lab buildings, Agriculture Technology Information Centre/Seed & Planting Material Sales counter, Statistics Lab, Library, BESST-Hort, Revolving Fund Scheme (RFS) – Seed, Mushroom, Agribusiness Incubation (ABI), Sports and recreational areas – Indoor Badminton (Workshop), Research laboratories – Scanning Electron Microscope, Plant Health Clinic, Food Safety Referral Lab,Nursery (Fruits Trees), Centre of Excellence (protected cultivation), Gamma Chamber, Farm Management Cell, Institute Technology Management Unit, Institute Farm Produce Sales Counter, VIII Block, campus main research field and National Horticultural Fair demonstration Area. Co-ordinated by Dr Sridhar Gautam, Dr B R Raghu and Dr Usha Bharathi with respective facility Nodal officers/in-charges.
- Visit to Central Horticultural Experiment Station and KrishiVigyan Kendra Hiregalliin two batches on 21st (MSc) and 22nd (PhD) November, 2023 was coordinated by Dr.Sandeep Kumar GM and Dr Sridhar Gautam.Dr.Loganandhan.N, Head KVK- Hirehalli briefed about ongoing frontline demonstrations, training programmes, plant health clinic, honey testing laboratory, seed production unit, AMC and vegetable special production facililties, nursery and farm at KVK. Student's also visited centre of excellence on Kamalam&got sensitized about ongoing research activities on Kamalam by Dr.Karunakaran G, PI-CoE, Kamalam.
- Orientations across various divisions including Fruit crops, Vegetable crops, Flower and medicinal crops, Crop protection, Basic sciences, Natural resources, Social sciences and training, Post-harvest technology and agricultural engineering were carried on 21st, 22nd and 23rd of November 2023, where students exposed to the lab and other facilities of the divisions and interacted with the faculty and staff of the divisions. This activity was co-ordinated by Dr Vijaya Rakesh Reddy, Dr Sridhar Gautam, Dr B R Raghu and Dr Usha Bharathi, Dr HarishKumar HV and Dr Sandeep Kumar GM in liaison with the respective head of the departments.
- Exposure visits to departments outside IIHR, like the Department of Horticulture, UAS GKVK, Bengaluru, and College of Horticulture, Bengaluru-UHS Bagalkot Campus, to explore additional facilities and laboratories such as centralised nursery facilities, tissue culture lab, Quality analytical laboratory for medicinal and aromatic crops, Biotechnology and genetics laboratories and BIOVERSITY in-situ conservation park for exotic & underutilized crops. The event was co-ordinated by Dr B R Raghu and Dr HarishKumar HV on 28th November, 2023.
An orientation session, organised by IARI on November 28th with Hon'ble DG, ICAR, Dr. Himanshu Pathak addressing all new students virtually, emphasizing collaboration and shared experiences among different hubs and departments, which was also attended by Director and Dean, IARI
The smooth onboarding and administration of records were expertly handled by Smt. Bhagyashree and other staff members of the PG Education Cell. This comprehensive orientation provided a holistic understanding of the institute's resources and facilities to ensure a promising academic journey for the incoming students.
