Dr N S Rathore is the Vice-Chancellor at Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur Rajasthan. He has completed B.E.(Agril. Engg), M.Tech. (Energy Studies from IIT D) and Ph.D. He has 38+ years of experience in research and academics, with specialization in Agricultural Engineering (Renewable Energy Technology). He has won several awards and fellowships for his contribution to the education sector. He has published 35 Books, 69 research papers in the National Journal, 36 in International Journal, and 110 in National and International Proceedings.

MPUAT

What are the key factors of the current education sector?

“We must showcase leadership skills to set the right path for the students”

For the education sector, one should have good knowledge, the right exposure and the right type of skill. Also, the ability and experience with the present state of technology. In the education sector, communication is not only limited to classroom instructions but also practical exercises. As agriculture technology is a professional course, we also should promote experiential learning along with theory concepts. 

What is your philosophy of leadership and its implementation?

“Proper governance, a trouble-free approach and transparency”

We have the right type of governance here, for which decentralisation acts as the foundation stone. As a VC, I do not misuse my power to make decisions. I consult with all the fellow stakeholders and give importance to their POVs. Another aspect of leadership is providing empowerment to Deans, Principals, Professors and Admins. This builds accountability among the staff.

How do you plan the administration of your University?

“A pre-planned and structured mode of operations at our university”

Apart from the high-class learning experience, we are also responsible for capacity building, training, consultancy, and technological outreach. We have appropriate road maps to demonstrate the right information to the stakeholders at the right time. We have an integrated approach and provide all the required facilities to the respective representatives.

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What can an inbound student gain from studying here at your University? 

“Building our students to be job providers with skills rather than job seekers”

We are giving more emphasis on skill development. Generally, in most traditional agricultural institutions, more emphasis is given to theoretical knowledge. However, our institution is giving more emphasis on how to perform efficiently, how to simplify the process, how to mould up the process conveniently and how to increase the efficiency of the system. In the final year of any course (B.Sc. Agriculture/B.Sc. Horticulture/B.Tech. Agriculture Engineering), we have a Student-READY program. READY is the acronym of Rural Entrepreneurship Awareness Development Yojna. Through this program, the students will gain the right type of skill and knowledge and start entrepreneurship after graduation.

What do you think are your responsibilities to the University and the students?

“Be a vigilant guide and provide accurate mentorship to students and faculty alike”

University is taking many unique steps to bring both inward and outward changes in the working culture of the university. As a Vice-Chancellor, I am reviewing the research activities done by M.Sc. and PhD students. I am also responsible for seeing how we are imparting the Student-READY program and experiential learning. I have the right type of surveillance mechanism to check whether students are getting the right education or not. We have separate sections for revenue generation, consultancy, students’ welfare, surveillance and conduction of examination to ensure smooth processing.

What do you think should be the University’s top priority over the next 10 years?

“To establish the agriculture sector as the biggest provider of useful resources”

We will have to develop ourselves as per the latest art of technologies. At present, usage of digital technology is on the rise. In agriculture as well, there is a good scope of digital technology. We are supposed to be equipped with the infrastructure facility and train our faculty members in emerging areas like artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, and big data analytics, etc. There is also a need to articulate different concepts of science and digital technology. We are aiming to move towards organic farming so that we can have quality produce. We will have to consider problems related to production, productivity, quality, sustainability and climate change to benefit our different stakeholders. 

What has been your vision for the University?

“To enhance the research infrastructure and gain top ranking for MPUAT”

When I joined Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, our university ranking among our sister universities was relatively low. Fortunately, within one year, we have groomed all stakeholders, including non-teaching staff. I am delighted to share that our university stands at the 26th rank among other universities. We are also committed to increasing quality research publications from our faculty members. Our University has the H-Index of 52, as our faculty members have done a good job in the research domain. This was my dream at initial inception, and I am happy to share that we have achieved these milestones.

What would you like people to know about your University they may not know?

“We have several technical courses along with Agricultural education at our university”

People should know our University is responsible for imparting quality education in agriculture and doing work in agriculture engineering. We also have computer Engineering, Electronic engineering, Mechanical engineering and Electrical engineering courses. We also have a separate college for dairy and food science technology, fishery education and community science for girls. 

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Can you please throw some light on Entrepreneurship and its importance?

“The agriculture sector has outstanding potential to build self-reliant and promising entrepreneurs”

Most of our students are getting jobs in the private and public sectors. However, because of the pandemic, the numbers have gone down. Hence, to become self-dependent, we teach our students about the right skills, the right type of raw materials along with different marketing and trading strategies. We are training our students for their future and to involve themselves in entrepreneurship. They will have to explore the possibilities and broaden the scope of work to become promising entrepreneurs. 

Any suggestions for aspiring students of the academic sector?

“Students must never stop the process of learning and be resilient in their journey”

I strongly suggest the youth of the nation and aspiring students work hard. Wherever one gets an opportunity, they should explore it and make the best use of it. And finally, they should accept the difference between their reality and expectations.