Prof. Arun Bhai Patel

Dean College of Fisheries

I have assumed charge of the Dean, College of Fisheries, Lembucherra, a constituent unit of the Central Agricultural University, Imphal, on 31.12.2023. The college which was established on 3rd Oct. 1998, about 25 years ago as the 12th Fisheries College of the country with just one Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc.) programme, now offers Master of Fisheries Science (M.F.Sc.) programme in seven disciplines as well as Doctoral (Ph.D.) programme in five disciplines. With the excellent infrastructures and state-of-the-art teaching and laboratory facilities as well as competent faculties coming from across the country having overseas exposures, the college has distinctively emerged as one of the leading fisheries colleges of the country, and hence, is able to attract talented students from all over the country. Our graduates have often bagged the top ranks in the “All India joint entrance test for PG and Ph.D. admission” under different categories, and our alumni have left a distinctive mark in their professional pursuit with 43 of them serving as ARS Scientist/Senior Scientist in various ICAR institutions, 9 are in abroad, 16 in KVKs as SMS (Fisheries), 20 as Assistant Professors, 2 as Professors as well as numerous Fisheries Officers and Superintendent of Fisheries serving in various State Fisheries Departments.

Numerous research projects funded by various ministries and agencies are ongoing at the college which helps in imparting research-embedded teaching, developing region-specific technologies, resources mapping, and the transfer of technologies to the end-users. This has also enhanced our international visibility through regular publications in journals with high impact factors. In particular, the College has been immensely benefited from the DBT funded Centre of Excellence project on Fisheries and Aquaculture in two phases, World Bank initiative ICAR funded Institutional Development Plan under NAHEP, as well as the RKVY-RAFTAAR scheme, Mobile based Agro advisory system in Tripura (Matsya Varta), Aqua Clinic and Aquapreneurship Development Programme (AC&ADP), and several other schemes/projects of TRIFED, DST, NAIP (ICAR), DBT, NFDB etc.which are being implemented by the College for entrepreneurship development as well as for the development of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector in the region.

Now that our undergraduate programme has been formally recognized as a professional degree by the Govt. of India, our responsibilities have increased many folds. It is incumbent on us more than ever before to impart critical thinking driven knowledge & skills to our students vis-à-vis to develop affordable products, sustainable package of practices/ technologies and execute capacity buildings for addressing the field level problems particularly of the farmers of the northeastern region and enhance their livelihood and nutritional security. This requires active research and research-embedded education as well as capacity building programmes. Towards this, we are fostering Graduate students’ research, Intramural Research and Externally Funded Research projects in the different disciplines in convergence mode.

To strengthen our leadership position and to prepare our graduates to address the emerging challenges of the sectors in the 21st century, the college has organized series of programmes under IDP-NAHEP including trainings for students and teachers in leading foreign as well as national institutes, invited several adjunct/visiting faculties and organized special lectures by experts from not only academia but also industry and management institutes. These, we believe, will usher in paradigm shift in enhancing the exposure, development of non-professional soft skills and inculcation of entrepreneurship in our graduates.
The norhteastern region is characterized by high per capita fish consumption and fish is linked to the traditional socio-cultural ethos, but the local fish production remains grossly insufficient to meet the local demand of fish. The college is committed to put multi-dimensional efforts encompassing quality academic, research and extension education programmes in convergence mode to address the problem. Towards this, the college is in the line of adding more affordable, remunerative and environment friendly solutions to the region specific constraints through sustainable utilization of abundant innate bio resources.

It is my foremost prerogative to contribute to the progress of this college to a new height as well as continuing the legacy of the premiere fisheries educational institute in the country under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Anupam Mishra, Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, Central Agricultural University, Imphal. I am certain that the college will yield many more successes and achievements in the days to come, which will in turn contribute to sustainable development of Fisheries and Aquaculture in the region in particular and of the country in general.

Contact Details:
Phone No: 0381 2865264 (O)
Tele-Fax: 0381 2865291
Email: cofcau.agt-tr[at]gov[dot]in / cofcau[at]rediffmail[dot]com