ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES AND CURRICULA
The Institute of Agricultural Technology has added up new virtues through the academic programme in imparting technical knowledge in agriculture and educating the youth. The Institute offers 2 year Diploma in Agricultural sciences.
Diploma in Agricultural Sciences
The Diploma in Agricultural sciences programme has a duration of four semesters. Maximum time limit permitted to complete the programme is seven semesters including the period of discontinuation if any. Ten point grading system is followed for the programme. The minimum grade required for the successful completion of the course is 5.5/10. The total credit requirement is 78. Two non credit courses are also offered.
Syllabus
The syllabus of the course is prepared by the faculty and is approved by the statutory bodies of the University.
Experiential Learning
The programme envisages hands on training to the students in agriculture and allied enterprises. The objective of the programme is to develop entrepreneurship skills among the students which will mould them as “job providers” rather than “job seekers”.
Interdisciplinary Approach in Teaching
Experiential learning programme is designed as interdisciplinary courses.
Continuous Internal Evaluation and Grading
Continous evaluation of students is accomplished through assignments, group discussions presentations and examinations. Quiz, mid-semester examination and final examination are conducted for each course as decided by the course teacher and approved by the special officer. The method of evaluation, distribution of marks, schedule of evaluation etc. is announced by the course teacher at the beginning of the semester and a printed/e-mail copy of the details of evaluation is given to every student within a week of commencement of the semester. Normally the mid term examination is conducted 60 days after the commencement of the semester and the final examination on any date during the last ten days of the semester. The time-table for the mid-semester examinations and final examinations is published by the special officer.
Supplementary examination is conducted only with the prior approval of the head of the institution following the guidelines prescribed. Answer papers evaluated by the teacher will be shown to the students within 10 days after the conduct of examination. The students have the option to request the teacher for clarifications of any doubts in scoring, provided that such clarification is requested at the time when the answer papers are made available to them. In case of further complaints, course co-ordinator/special officer can be approched.
Final examination in theory will have minimum of two hours duration. It is the responsibility of the course teacher to conduct the final theory examination covering the entire syllabus. The question papers for all examinations are to be approved by the special officer. No supplementary examination for final examination is ordinarily conducted. However, in exceptional cases, based on valid reasons, the special officer may sanction supplementary examinations as per the guidelines approved, with the fee prescribed by the university. Practical examination is conducted by a board constituted by the head of the institution besides the course teacher.
The special officer appoints a committee of not less than three teachers from the concerned discipline or from other disciplines (if sufficient teachers are not available in the discipline) for the viva voce of any course. The chair person of the committee is decided by the special officer.
Student intake
The number of students to be admitted in an academic year will be decided by University from time to time. The current intake is 50 students per year.
Student Profile
Eligibility for the selection the Diploma in Agricultural Sciences is a pass in +2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology or equivalent examination. 20% of the seats are reserved for VHSE (Agri.) candidates. Candidates of Kerala origin as evidenced by relevant document will be given admission for the course.
Students’ Counselling and Placement
A Students’ Counselling and Placement cell is formed at the institution with the following members:
1. Special Officer
2. Course Co-ordinator
3. Representatives from faculty
Student’s Co-Curricular Activities
Facilities for outdoor games have been provided. Quiz competitions, art festivals, exhibitions, melas etc are conducted.
Students’ Achievements in Academic, Co-Curricular and Other fields
The students have actively participated in the institute level sports and arts fest being conducted every year. The Quiz team comprising of two student representatives of the diploma have participated in the State level intercollegiate quiz competition conducted at the Vidya Academy of Science and Technology, Thrissur.
