Coimbatore also known as Kovai is the second largest city and urban agglomeration in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, after Chennai. The city is located on the banks of the Noyyal River surrounded by the western Ghats. The rich black soil of the region has contributed to Coimbatore’s flourishing agricultural industry and, it is in fact, the successful growth of cotton has served as a foundation for the establishment of its famous textile industry. Due to profound role as an industrial hub and multi-faceted business endeavors, Coimbatore is referred popularly as “Manchester of South India” and “Detroit of India”. Coimbatore is the fourth largest metropolis in India. The city is also known for it’s educational institutions. The city also houses research institutes like Central Institute for Cotton Research, Sugarcane Breeding Institute and Institute for Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding.
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) stands as a distinguished institution with a rich legacy in providing agricultural education for over a century. Its roots trace back to the establishment of an Agricultural School in Saidapet, Chennai, in 1868, which later relocated to Coimbatore in 1906. Affiliated with the University of Madras in 1920, TNAU initially offered a three-year degree program, becoming the sole institute for agricultural education in South India until 1946. Over the years, TNAU evolved into a hub for higher education, achieving recognition as a Postgraduate Centre in 1958, offering Masters and Doctoral degrees. As a non-profit public higher education institution, TNAU has garnered accolades, notably becoming the first State Agricultural University (SAU) accredited by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The institute’s excellence has been acknowledged with prestigious awards, including recognition as The Best Institution and The Best Performing University by the ICAR. In the realm of national rankings, TNAU has consistently excelled. In the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2023 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), TNAU secured the fifth position among State Agricultural Universities in India. Additionally, it claimed the 68th spot in the ‘Overall’ category and the 44th position in the ‘Universities’ category. Internationally, TNAU made its mark by ranking 105th in QS-BRICS. The ICAR’s accreditation of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, for a five-year period underscores its commitment to maintaining and enhancing academic excellence, ensuring its continued contribution to agricultural research and education until March 2023.
The inception of postgraduate education in agriculture dates back to 1933-34 when the University of Madras designated the Agricultural College, Coimbatore as a centre for M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees. Since then, pursuing postgraduate studies at TNAU has been a unique and enriching experience. The university offers a range of courses at its campus and constituent colleges, providing students with a diverse learning environment. The students on completion of the course requirements have the opportunity to take up their research in any institute / industry worldwide. As an established research-intensive university, TNAU has excellent link with reputed national and international institutes for student exchange programme. School of Postgraduate Studies offers Masters programs, M.Sc.(Ag.) / M. Tech (Ag.) in 33 disciplines and Doctoral programs in 28 disciplines. Students from all over India and overseas seek admission at this university.
AGSC-TNAU provides an engaging platform for student researchers to exchange ideas and expand their social and scientific circles. This comprehensive scientific program features diverse student research across India and abroad, presented in poster, oral, or plenary formats to a global audience of professionals.
The Agricultural Graduate Student Conference (AGSC), first of its kind in India, spans two days and will take place at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, on 24.07.2024 and 25.07.2024.
