Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture Technology and Sciences - SHIATS

About Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture Technology and Sciences - SHIATS

The Agricultural Institute was established under the leadership of Dr. Sam Higginbottom, in 1910, as an ecumenical Institution of the Christian Churches and Church organizations in India. Dr. Sam Higginbottom came to India in 1903 and joined the North India Mission of the Presbyterian Church. During this period he became a familiar figure in the surrounding villages, he also saw and observed the living conditions of the villagers and was deeply concerned about the ancient system of agriculture which contributed to low productivity and thus led to extreme poverty amongst them. He was also genuinely disturbed by the vast gulf between the urban Christian and the rural masses. For several months he contemplated upon the Christian neglect of the villages and ultimately by the end of 1909 he decided to bridge this gulf by establishing an agricultural school, which he envisioned would educate the village boys, introduce improved agricultural methods and co-operate with the local farmers in solving their practical agriculture related problems. It was earlier known as Allahabad Agricultural Institute- Deemed University.

Infrastructure

The Allahabad Agricultural Institute- Deemed University (AAI-DU) is a united endeavour of the Christian community in India, for promoting rural life and development in conformity with the Christian vision in relation with the human kind and the creation. The University is held in Trust as a common ecumenical heritage by the Christian Churches and Christian Organisations of the country. It seeks to be a national centre of professional excellence in education and service to the people with the participation of its students and faculty members from all over India.

Departments

1. Department of Mechanical Engg. & Applied Mechanics
2. Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering
3. Department of Computer Science & Information Tech.
4. Department of Electronics & Communication
5. Department of Civil Engineering
6. Department of Molecular Biology & Genetic Engineering
7. Department of Microbiology and Microbial Technology
8. Department of Tissue Culture
9. Department of Biochemistry and Biochemical Technology
10. Department of Bioinformatics
11. Department of Science
12. Department of Business Studies
13. Department of Theology
14. Department of Veterinary Sc. and Animal Husbandry
15. Department of Health and Medical Science
16. Department of Humanities, Social Sc., Arts & Cultures
17. Department of Film, Media Studies & Technology

Facilities and Campus

Hostels - The University has eight hostels on campus, four for men and four for women students including one Women's International PG Hostel. Single, double and multiple bed rooms are available in all the hostels.All the rooms are well furnished and ventilated. New International PG hostels for men accommodates foreign students.

Central Library - The University devotes considerable effort and resources to the development of an outstanding library collection to meet the expanding need of teaching and research. The library has more than 40,000 volumes, which include text books, reference books and research material on Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Engineering, Home Science, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biochemistry, Mathematics, Animal Science, Dairy Technology, Environmental Sciences, Microbiology, Plant Pathology & Nematology, Management, Business Administration, Information Technology, Biotechnology etc. It also subscribes regularly to a large number of technical journals and magazines, both Indian and Foreign.

To make students more aware of today's India and the world, popular news papers in different languages are provided at the news section of the library. A separate periodical section is maintained with book numbers while the latest issues are displayed in the periodical section of the main reading room. Popular and informative magazines are available at the circulation desk. Book bank facilities are provided for the economically weaker section of students. Library facilities are also available to the faculty members and staff of the University.

Other Facilities

Career Planning and Counselling Centre - Students seeking help of any kind are offered counselling and guidance by the office of the Dean of Students Welfare and Chaplain of the University.

Financial Assistance - Bonafide students of the University, who have a good conduct and extra ordinary academic record, belonging to a weaker socio- economic background can be awarded scholarships, which are being offered by various agencies.

Medical Facilities - Hayes Memmorial Mission Hospital of the University is equipped with experienced team of Doctors comprising Physician, Gynacologist, Opthamalogist, Orthopedisian, Surgeon, Anasthatist and Pathologist. The Hospital has OPD, IPD facilities, Pharmasy, Labs, X-ray & Ultrasound facilities, Operation theatre for minor and major surgery which caters the need of students, faculty members, officers, staff of the University and nearby area.

Students Advisory Systems - Each student is assigned to a member of the staff who will be his/her advisor. The function of the advisor is to guide & counsel the students periodically. The staff advisors effectively establish personal relationship with the students, which has been a traditional culture of this University.

Complaints Committee - As per the Supreme Court’s mandatory guidelines issued in “Vishakha Judgement” (1997) which have the status of law and subsequent directives of National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi; National Commissions for Women, New Delhi: Ministry of Human Resource Development, New Delhi and The University Grants Commission, New Delhi concerning prevention of sexual harassment of women employees / students at workplaces / University Campuses and for speedy redress of complaints made by the victims, the Complaints Committee have been formed in the University. This committee takes care of such cases. The chairperson of the committee is Prof. (Dr.) Pramila Gupta.

Anti-Ragging Cell - On the recommendations of the Raghavan committee and the directives of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, Anti Ragging Cell (ARC) of the University operates under the chairmanship of Dean, Students Welfare. ARC curbs down the evil of misconduct and ill behavior of any student towards mental and physical harassment of new students.

National Service Scheme - The National Service Scheme (N.S.S) was intiated in 1969-70 with a view to promote social conciousness and develop a sense of responsiblility as well as a sense of discipline and diginity of labour among youth of the University. Regular activities and ten days special camps in diffrent nearby villages are organized. Girls actively involve themselves in educating village women with child health and active participation of women in transfer of technology in the adopted villages. During their stay in the villages students get themselves involved in the village activities. Various rallies, programmes etc.. are organised to create awareness about matters of importance for rural and slum populations.

National Cadet Corps - The University has a sub-unit (1/17 Coy.) of N.C.C. under the unit (17 U.P. Bn. NCC, Alld.) Students of our University voluntarily join this organization with the spirit of serving the nation. Regular camps are organized at the Battalion level. The students are trained to develop leadership, character, sportsmanship, confidence and to create a force of trained and disciplined youth which could be utilized for the nation in case of an emergency.

Community and Religious Life - It is the conviction of a Christian Institution that the integration of work with worship is essential in the life of any community. Daily devotions are held in the University Chapel, “The Chapel of Brotherly Love”, thus helping the Christian students to inculcate the habit of daily Bible reading and Prayer. They are also encouraged to take part in conducting the Chapel and Church services and shouldering Church responsibilities for cultural and spiritual advancement. Students from other faiths are welcome to attend the daily devotion and Sunday Chapel Services of their own free will.

Post-Office, Bank and Cooperative Store - The University has a full-fledged Post-Office and a branch of the State Bank of India on campus. To fulfill the demand of daily commodities of the resident students, the University has a cooperative store on campus.

Mess - The mess provides a variety of nutritious and hygienically prepared meals for students residing in the hostels. There is a choice of non-vegetarian, vegetarian and South Indian food.

University Publication Division - The University Publication Division (UPD) through its publication of Journals, Magazine & News Letters reflects the sincerity of the University management, authorities and faculty members in their concern for imparting value education to students. UPD is an important aspect of the University life. Through the publication of their Scientific Journal ‘Allahabad Farmer’ and News Letter, it not only disseminate the research findings to the scientific world, but also helps to share the information of their field of interest. ‘Hamar Gaon’ (Hindi Magazine) is also published quarterly and gives agriculture related information, women and child development, fisheries and farm machines.

Extra Curricular Activities

Social & Cultural Activities - Students are always encouraged to participate in a variety of social and recreational activities, which are organised throughout the year. Various academic societies and cultural clubs on the campus help in promoting to the overall personality development of the students.

Achievements

NAAC - National Assessment And Accreditation Council accredited this University with B++ grade