Fisheries Alumni Association and College Representatives Meet Governor, Discuss Shortage of Permanent Faculty

Udaipur: The Alumni Association and student delegation of the Fisheries College, a constituent college of MPUAT, jointly met with the Governor of Rajasthan and Chancellor of the University, Haribhau Kishanrao Bagde, at the Udaipur Circuit House. The delegation submitted a memorandum, urging the filling of vacant academic and non-academic positions at the college. The representatives informed the Governor about the ongoing issues arising due to the presence of only two permanent faculty members at the state’s sole fisheries education institution, with significant faculty shortages in other departments. They emphasized the urgent need for action, as the shortage is impacting the academic quality of students and research activities. The Governor attentively listened to the delegation's concerns and assured them that the matter would be addressed promptly through intervention by the state government.

Bhavesh Chaudhary, a representative of the Alumni Association, expressed concern over the lack of faculty appointments, which is putting the college's ICAR accreditation and the future of students at risk. He also mentioned that due to the shortage of faculty, postgraduate and PhD courses had to be suspended, forcing students from the state to seek higher education in other states. This has had a detrimental effect on research in the state related to fisheries and aquatic environments. Research on climate-based fish seed selection, suitable habitats for fish species, integrated fish farming, and techniques for increasing production with lower agricultural costs has come to a halt. While fishery-related technologies are being developed rapidly across the country, the lack of research in Rajasthan may lead to significant challenges in the future. 

The Governor assured the representatives that this issue would be prioritized, and the process of filling vacant positions would begin soon. The students and the Alumni Association thanked the Governor for the swift response and expressed hope that the necessary faculty appointments would be made soon, leading to improvements in education and research, which would strengthen the state's fisheries sector. 

Present during the memorandum submission were Bhavesh Chaudhary, Senior Executive Member of the Alumni Association; Anil Singh Shekhawat, President of the College Branch of the All India Agricultural Students' Union; and Kishan Mirdha.