The New Nation - Internet Edition

BAU Correspondent

Distinguished scientists Prof. Dr. H. S. Prakash, Coordinator, Asian Seed Health Centre (ASHC) under DANIDA Programme along with Prof. Dr. S. R Niranjana, Chairman, Department of Applied Botany and Biotechnology of the University of Mysore, India called on Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Akhtar Hossain during their week-long visit at the Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU). They discussed matters on academic interest including establishment of relationship between Asian Seed Health Centre of India, Danish Seed Health Centre (DSHC), Denmark and other countries of the world for the cooperation and coordination of joint research, training and publication and to explore the opportunity for funding by DANIDA and other donors.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Akhtar Hossain expressed his satisfaction and ensured full administrative cooperation to achieve the academic goal. He also desired all sorts of cooperation from the visiting scientists to go forward with the existing resources of Seed Pathology Centre for the development of agricultural science. Prof. Dr. M. Ayub Ali, Director, SPC was present during the meeting.

During their week-long visit at BAU, Prof. Dr. M. Ayub Ali, Director, Seed Pathology Centre (SPC) of Bangladesh and the ASHC representatives Dr. H. S. Prakash and Dr. S. R. Niranjana discussed academic and research issues which were considered to be included in the future collaboration.

The areas identified for research cooperation are: Molecular database of Seed-borne Pathogens, Molecular diagnosis, Biological control, Mycotoxins, Explore possibilities of research/training cooperation, Identify areas of common interest: Host - Pathogen combinations, Ph.D. programmes, Exchange of Scientists/students between cooperating centres, Joint publications in high impact journals and patents and E-module of seed health training curriculum.

It may be mentioned here that Danish Seed Health Centre (DSHC) has established two Regional centres with DANIDA support namely, Asian Seed Health Centre - Mysore, India and African Seed Health Centre - Tanzania, Africa.