2nd batch of Master of Professional Studies (MPS)-M.Tech Programme Celebrates its Graduation Day at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

Hyderabad, January 6, 2012: The passing out function of the 2nd batch of Master of Professional Studies (MPS)-M.Tech Programme was held on January 4, 2012 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU). On this historic day, the second cohort of students received their dual master’s degree programme that integrates Cornell’s Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Food Science and TNAU’s Master of Technology (M.Tech) in Food & Agricultural Process Engineering.

The MPS–M.Tech programme offers a course that effectively combine science, technology and management knowledge and skills together to benefit an industry characterized by high levels of global integration. Participants to the programme are trained on how to engage in rural development that will result in sustainable gains through enterprise development and technology transfer. The Dual Degrees includes Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in any agriculture related discipline from Cornell University, and Master of Technology (M.Tech) or Master of Science (M.Sc) in Agriculture from TNAU.

The program is supported by the Cornell –Sathguru Foundation for Development. It provides assistance in program management and also support in the establishment of requisite industry linkages that ensure program success. 

Expressing his delight on the occasion, Ronnie Coffman, Director International Programme, College of Life Science and Agriculture, Cornell University, Ithaca, said, “these graduates will take their places in the front line of the battle for global food security, fulfilling India’s unmet need for life science professionals who will effectively combine science, technology and management to benefit industries that are characterized by high levels of global integration as their training has been designed to give them comprehensive exposure to global food systems, which them can now apply in future employment in nongovernmental organizations, banks, or private or public industries..”

Speaking on the occasion Dr. P. Murugesa Boopathi, Vice Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, said, “responding to the needs of current era of globalization; the age old premier Institutes of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and Cornell University collaboratively developed a novel Post Graduate programme, so as to strengthen specialized Human Resource development, relevant to the changing dimensions of Agriculture and Agricultural Marketing.  I hope this programme will continue to reinvent itself and develop according to changing times. I also believe that the Dual Degree Graduates will serve this Nation and make significant contributions in the field of Agriculture”.

The program saw its genesis on Feb 13, 2008, when Dr. Susan Henry, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the first agricultural life sciences degrees to be offered by a U.S. university specifically for Indian students with Dr. C. Ramasamy, Vice Chancellor of TNAU.