HICAST News Round-up 1 | Page HICAST NEWSLETTER ISSUE 2, 2016 15th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Himalayan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (HICAST), the first agriculture and Veterinary College in the country, held its 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Yak Palace, Pulchowk on the 25 th Poush 2072. The AGM approved the annual budget and expenses of the fiscal year 2071/072. With the increasing number of students and growing interest in this sector, the meeting unanimously authorized the executive committee to initiate the necessary process to increase the existing quota in B.Sc. (Hons) Ag and B.V.Sc. & A.H. programmes. The meeting also approved the proposal of the executive committee to procure the land in Salyanthan, Kirtipur for the development of the new academic complex. On that occasion, HICAST offered with the title of Honorary Professor to Dr. Mukti Narayan Shrestha, Dr. Bhola Mehar Shrestha, Mr. Bimal Kumar Baniya, Dr. Baidya Nath Mahato and Dr. Keshari Laxmi Manandhar for their academic contribution since establishment of college. Likewise, Ms. Gita Devi Devkota Pathak, Mr. Jeevan K. C. and Ms. Chandra Kala Bhandari were acknowledged with the letter of appreciation for their 15-year uninterrupted service at HICAST. “AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION THROUGH QUALITY EDUCATION”
Transcript
HICAST News Round-up 1 | P a g e
HICAST NEWSLETTER ISSUE 2, 2016
15th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Himalayan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (HICAST), the first agriculture
and Veterinary College in the country, held its 15th
Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Yak Palace,
Pulchowk on the 25th
Poush 2072. The AGM
approved the annual budget and expenses of the fiscal
year 2071/072. With the increasing number of
students and growing interest in this sector, the
meeting unanimously authorized the executive
committee to initiate the necessary process to increase
the existing quota in B.Sc. (Hons) Ag and B.V.Sc. &
A.H. programmes. The meeting also approved the
proposal of the executive committee to procure the land in Salyanthan, Kirtipur for the
development of the new academic complex.
On that occasion, HICAST offered with the title of
Honorary Professor to Dr. Mukti Narayan Shrestha,
Dr. Bhola Mehar Shrestha, Mr. Bimal Kumar Baniya,
Dr. Baidya Nath Mahato and Dr. Keshari Laxmi
Manandhar for their academic contribution since
establishment of college. Likewise, Ms. Gita Devi
Devkota Pathak, Mr. Jeevan K. C. and Ms. Chandra
Kala Bhandari were acknowledged with the letter of
appreciation for their 15-year uninterrupted service at HICAST.
“AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION THROUGH QUALITY EDUCATION”
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INFRASTRUCTURE EXPANSION AT HICAST
HICAST procured about 10 Ropanis of land for its infrastructure development in Kirtipur on 3rd
March, 2016. The land will be used for the construction of new buildings as well as an
experimental farm. To cope with the increasing number of students, the college has planned to
launch new need-based master’s programs such as Commercial Horticulture, Sustainable
Agriculture & Climate Change, and Animal Breeding & Bio-technology in the near future.
Keeping this in mind HICAST is going to prepare a master plan for the expansion and
development of its infrastructure. According to Chairperson Dr. Binayak Prasad Rajbhandari,
HICAST’s executive board formed a special working committee on 4th March 2016 to facilitate
the development of the master plan and prepare a detailed architectural and structural design of
the proposed college buildings to be constructed on the newly purchased land within a month.
The committee consists of three members; Er. Vishnu Bahadur Singh (Coordinator), Dr. Rebati
Man Shrestha and Mr. Suresh Shrestha.
HICAST, the first private agricultural college established by a community of agriculture and
Veterinary professionals with the public private partnership approach, has its own buildings with
well equipped laboratories, advanced and comprehensive library at Khasi Bazar, Kalanki and
experimental farm of 9.5 Ropani at Badegaun, Lalitpur.
INTERACTION PROGRAMME
An interaction programme on the issues of Future
Innovative Labs on Sustainable Agriculture and
Livelihood between HICAST and University of Florida
was held at Hotel Himalaya, Lalitpur. Two
representatives from the University of Florida, Prof.
Grady Roberts and Ms. Sandra, participated in the
program that was chaired by Dr. Binayak P.
Rajbhandari, Chairperson of HICAST. Dr. K. B.
Shrestha, Principal, and Dr. Bidur Prasad Chaulagain, Research Director, also participated in the
programme.
An MOU was signed with College of Veterinary Science at the University of Florida in 2006.
The interaction program mainly focused on the revitalization of the relationship between
HICAST and the University, as well as a $40 million USD collaborative project on research,
training, student and faculty exchange programs.
STAFF MEETING WITH CHAIRPERSON
A special staff meeting with the chairperson was held on Magh 7, 2072. The meeting was led by
the principal Dr. K. B. Shrestha and focused on creating various committees to better manage the
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college’s regular activities. A technical committee coordinated by Dr. K. B. Shrestha was formed
to prepare a plan for the improvement of the HICAST Integrated Research Farm at Badegaun.
At the meeting, it was also decided to celebrate HICAST Day on 12th Jestha 2073 and different
committees were formed for the event.
Similarly, another staff meeting was held in the presence of chairperson on Baishakh 7, 2073 at
HICAST that reviewed the overall progress since last meeting. The principal of HICAST Dr. K.
B. Shrestha highlighted the progress of the decisions made on the last meeting and emphasized
the need for cooperation among all staff and faculty members for the betterment of the college.
Likewise, it was decided to publish a comprehensive report in the name of HICAST SMARIKA
– 2073. A committee was formed to prepare the SMARIKA. It will be led by Mr. Bimal
Bhattarai.
THESIS DEFENSE PROGRAMME
M.Sc. Ag. (Agribusiness Management)
The defense programme of the first batch of Master of Science in Agriculture (Agribusiness
Management) students started on 4th February, 2016. Out of eight scholars the following
students defended their research work successfully on that date. The programme was chaired by
Dr. Binayak P. Rajbhandari. The findings of research might be useful for policy makers, farmers,
I/NGOs, researchers and scholars.
SN Students Name Name of Advisor TOPIC
1. Padam Raj Bist Mr. Anoj Chhetri Information and communication technology (ICT)
contribution in economic and managerial aspects of poultry
farming in Kathmandu valley of Nepal
2. Pawan Singh Bhandari
Dr. Hari Sharma Neupane
Fertilizer policy and agricultural growth: strategies for enhancing chemical fertilizer use in Nepal
B.V.Sc. and A.H. Programme
Similarly thesis defense programme of BVSc & AH
ninth batch student has been started. The following 12
students of that batch successfully defended their
thesis. The defense program was chaired by the
Principal Dr. Krishna Bahadur Shrestha.
S.N Name of student Title of Thesis
1. Anup Adhikari Screening of fecal samples for Cryptosporidium oocysts in cattle and
buffalo of Bhotewodar, Lamjung
2. Barjesh Yadav Detection of antibodies against bluetongue virus in milk samples of large
ruminants in Kathmandu valley
3. Bikash Shrestha Sero-prevalence of porcine taeniasis in swine of Kathmandu district,
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Nepal
4. Bilochan Bhandari Trends of antimicrobial use in poultry of Kathmandu valley
5. Binaya Shaha Prevalence of (Fasciola species) in cattle of Tanahun district
6. Bishal Pokhrel Sero-prevalence of influenza ‘A’ among the swine of Eastern, Central
and Western Region of Nepal
7. Kshitiz Paudel Screening of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV) infection in dairy
herds of Kavrepalanchowk district of Nepal
8. Nitesh Karki Prevalence of Demodes in canine of Kathmandu valley
9. Praveen Singh Lama Study of seroprevalence bovine Brucellosis in dairy cattle of Kathmandu
valley
10. Season Sainju Antibodies detection of hemorickettsia (Anaplasma) in cattle of three
ecological belt of Nepal
11. Surya Chandra Thoker Study on hematological changes in (Ehrlichia canis) positive dogs of
Kathmandu valley
12. Umesh Giri Prevalence of Fasciolosis in goats of Kunathari village development
committee of Surkhet district
NEW SESSION OF M.Sc.Ag. (Agribusiness Management)
A new session of the second batch of the M. Sc. Agriculture (Agribusiness Management)
programme has started. An orientation programme was organized on 27th of February 2016 in
the presence of the chairperson of HICAST at HICAST central office, Bagdol. A total of 12
students have enrolled in this programme.
TRAINING ON PEDAGOGY
An intensive training session on pedagogy and
teaching methods was organized at HICAST from
17th to 20
th Poush 2072 in association with
Winrock International. The main objective of the
training was to enhance the technical capabilities
of faculty members especially on teaching methods
and practices. In total, 11 full time faculty members participated in the training.
During the inaugural session, Chairperson Dr. B.P Rajbhandari acknowledged Winrock
International for providing expert facilitator Mr. Rick Wills from the United States and other
technical support for the training. He also expressed his commitment to collaborate with
concerned governmental, non-governmental, I/NGOs, CBOs, farmer groups, farms and private
for the benefit of HICAST and the Nepalese agriculture sector.
Trainees expressed that the acquired skills and knowledge during training would be highly
applicable in teaching.
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WELCOME PROGRAM -2016
“We welcome our guests in attendance here, those that travelled far and those that drove near
Throw away the doubts and fear and begin this day with a bright cheer
We hope to please you with all that we do, we feel honored to welcome you…”
- Aastha Pudasainee
An annual event welcoming new students (16th batch Ag. and 15th batch Vet.) was organized by
current students (15th batch Ag. and 14th batch Vet.) on 18th March, 2016 at Durbar Banquet,
Soltimode, with the support of college. The main aim of the program was to formally welcome
them to the HICAST student family and create an atmosphere of harmony among senior and
junior students. This programme also motivated them to abide by the norms and values of
students of HICAST.
EDUCATIONAL TOURS: Field based learning
A priority of HICAST has always been to invigorate its students through quality education in the
field of agriculture. To explore and enrich the students’ field-based, HICAST organizes a week
long educational tour each year. It is a great opportunity to re-discover the national
agricultural/livestock production system from the perspective of future agriculturists and
veterinarians. Students not only learn about agriculture but also about all of the attributes of our
society such as culture, economy, sociology, topography and how they interact in real life.
Eastern Tour - B.Sc. (Hons) Ag. 6th Sem. (10th - 17th Falgun 2072)
Co-ordinator – Mr. Bimal Bhattarai
Places Visited
Goat Research Station, Bandipur
Agricultural Research Station, Lumle
Horticulture farm, Palpa
Wheat research center, Rupandehi
RARS, Khajura, Nepalgunj
Banana Farm, Tikapur, Kailali
Chitwan National Park, Chitwan
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Elephant Breeding Center, Sauraha, Chitwan
Crocodile Breeding Center Kasara, Chitwan
Western Tour - B.V.Sc & AH 6th Sem (25th Falgun -
2nd Chaitra 2072)
Co-ordinator – Dr. Pramesh Chalise
Places Visited
Kamdhenu Dairy Farm, Chyangli, Gorkha
Goat Research Station, Bandipur
Agricultural Research Station, Lumle
NLBC, Pokhara
Livestock Farm, Pokhara
Bardiya National Park, Bardiya
VHRTC, Lanku, Chitwan
Chitwan National Park, Sauraha
National Trust for Nature Conservation, Sauraha
Eastern Tour - B. Sc.(Hons)Ag. 4th Sem (11th - 17th Chaitra 2072)
Co-ordinator – Mr. Nawaraj Thapa
Places Visited
Regional Agricultural Station, Tarahara
Agricultural Research Station, Pakhribas
ARS (Citrus) Paripatle, Dhankuta
Tea processing center Kanyam, Ilam
Chitwan National Park, Sauraha, Chitwan
Eastern Tour - B.V. Sc & AH 8th Sem. (24th
– 30th
Chaitra 2072)
Co-ordinator – Dr. Pramesh Chalise
Places Visited
Regional Agricultural Station, Tarahara
Agricultural Research Station, Pakhribas
District Livestock Services Office, Dhankuta
Cheese Processing Center, Pashupatinagar, Ilam
Animal Quarantine Office, Pashupatinagar, Ilam
India Tour – B.Sc. (Hons) Ag. 8th
and B.V.Sc. &A.H. 10th Sem. (2nd
– 19th
Chaitra 2072)
Students visited major agricultural and veterinary stations in India including Mumbai, Delhi,
Rajasthan, Jaipur, Jaishlemhar, Agra, Banaras, and Goa under the guidance of Dr. Raju Shrestha.
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Students were inspired by the education
system, farming practices, cultures and
tourism sectors of India.
Student feedback on the Educational Tour
Mr. Abinash Subedi (B.Sc. Ag. 6th sem)
“Heaven is myth, Nepal is real”.
Mr. Subash Paudel (B.VSc.&AH 6th Sem) –
“Educational tour of a week is more than the
six months lecture class for learning.”
SARASWATI PUJA
HICAST students organized a ‘Saraswati Puja’ programme with the support of HICAST
management on the college premises on 1st Falgun 2072. Dr. Binayak P. Rajbhandari
Chairperson of HICAST, Dr. Krishna Bahadur Shrestha Principal of HICAST and all faculty
members and staff participated in the event that
also included a musical programme.
PICNIC PROGRAMME
The picnic programme is an annual event
organized by HICAST that aims build a strong
bond between faculty and staff. HICAST faculty
and staff work hard throughout the school year
and this programme provides them with the
opportunity to refresh and refocus. The
programme was held on 22nd
Chaitra 2072 at
Deurali of Dhulikhel.
NEW APPOINTMENTS
Dr. Pramesh Chalise
Designation: Instructor
Date of Appointment: 1st Baisakh 2073
Mr. Sudeep Pandey
Designation: Assistant Accountant
Date of Appointment: 15th Falgun 2072
UPCOMING EVENT
HICAST will celebrate its 15 years glory of its establishment on 12th
Jestha 2073 at Pragya
Bhawan, Kamaladi. On this auspicious occasiInson the executive committee of the college will
honour its helping hands and staff who have spent more than one decade at HICAST.
