Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science


Tribhuvan University's Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science is the oldest institute in Nepal which provides higher education in agriculture and animal science.

Overview

IAAS was founded in Kathmandu in 1957 as a school of agriculture to train junior technical assistants. In 1968, the school was upgraded to a college of agriculture. Four years later it became affiliated with Tribhuvan University, and moved to Rampur, Chitwan in 1974. The institute's mission is to provide higher education in agriculture and agricultural development, focusing on teaching, research, and continuing education. The government of Nepal established the Agriculture and Forestry University in Rampur in 2010, and AFU took over IAAS' physical plant and other assets. The IAAS dean's office moved to Kathmandu in 2011 and continues its programs and activities at satellite offices in Sanepa, Lalitpur and Kirtipur.
The institute's postgraduate program was moved to Kathmandu in 2013, and classes are conducted in TU's Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology building in Kirtipur and other TU classrooms. It has a Master of Science in Agriculture program in seven departments, Master of Science in Animal Science and Master of Veterinary Science programs in two, and two Ph.D. programs in several departments. In Plan A, students attend theory and practical classes in relevant subjects offered by the department. In Plan B, students conduct research and submit a progress report each semester; classes and practical work are not mandatory.
The institute has collaborated with the TU central library in Kirtipur, and student access to the library has been ensured. It has donated a number of postgraduate reference books, and the library has committed to obtain books and other publications required by IAAS students. In addition to maintaining its laboratory, the institute has signed in an agreement with the Nepal Agricultural Research Council for student practical work and research activities. The institute has involved TU professors and researchers and other governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Campuses

The Paklihawa campus is in Siddharthanagar, and the Lamjung campus is in Sundarbazar. They were established as branches of the central Rampur campus in 1976 with the following objectives:
With the establishment of AFU at IAAS, Rampur, both satellite IAAS campuses were upgraded to B.Sc.Ag. programs in 2012. The Paklihawa campus began a five-year B.V.Sc. program in 2013.

Affiliated colleges

TU and IAAS became affiliated with agricultural colleges in Gokuleshwar, Baitadi, Lamahi Municipality and Tulsipur, Dang.
Tribhuvan University's other technical institutes are:
have been signed between IAAS and national and international institutions, including the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, Agro Enterprise Centre, Ministry of Agricultural and Livestock Development, Nepal Agriculture Research Council, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Cornell University, University of Graz, Hiroshima University, Writtle College, Asian Institute of Technology, Association of Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas and Tufts University.

Land

The institute has 338 ropani of land in six plots. It has one horticulture, one agronomy and one livestock farm covering 252 ropani. The farms produce fruit, vegetables, cereals, animals and birds and are used for practical work. The upland farm includes a mango orchard, and about 4,200 coffee plants were planted in August 2005.

Administration and staff

The campus chief is the head of the institute for general and academic administration, accounts, store, library, farms, hostels and dispensary work. There is a branch head of each section, responsible for internal management. Major decisions related to rules and regulations in each section are made by section heads and related personnel, headed by the campus chief.
There are 150 teaching staff members, and 56 in administrative support. Two teachers have Ph.D. degrees, and others hold master's degrees. Four teachers have been brought from Rampur on a contract basis each year.

Buildings

The institute has two administrative buildings, a library, six classrooms and five laboratories. There are 24 dormitories and residences, a guest house, a men's hostel, a women's hostel and two mess halls. There are also a poultry house, a goat shed, two cattle-buffalo sheds, a swine shed, a farm store, an auditorium, a garage and a dispensary.

Academic activities

During its early years, the institute offered a one-year I. Sc. Agriculture course, producing 947 mid-level agricultural technicians from 1975 to 1983. The institute began a non-academic Junior Technical Assistant training program in 1984, and 644 JTAs were trained from 1984 to 1990. It began a two-year I. Sc. Agriculture diploma program in 1991, and produced 313 JTs by 2001. In 2002, the institute introduced an eight-semester Bachelor of Science in Agriculture program.

Departments

IAAS has 18 departments:
IAAS publishes the annual Journal of the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, presenting scientific information on plant, animal and social sciences. IAAS Research Reports is based on research, and the M.Sc. Thesis Abstract covers postgraduate theses.