Akshay Talukdar
New Delhi
Summary
I have over 33 years of experience in higher education, agricultural research, extension and administration. I have proven track record in securing external funding, institution building, and fostering community-centric programs. My expertise lies in aligning academic missions with the needs of the agricultural sector, promoting sustainable practices, and driving institutional growth through innovation and collaboration.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Head (In-charge), National Phytotron Facility
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute
05.2014 - Current
- Spearheaded initiatives that enhanced the working and life of the Phytotron, an unique facility of the country.
- Directed a team of biology experts and technocrats and staff, enhancing departmental efficiency and morale.
- Developed and implemented a new approach that enhanced income generation, and about 30% increase in student research program.
- Generated fund for supporting the facility through users fee.
Controller of Examination
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute
06.2023 - Current
- Spearheaded initiatives in chalking out the Rules of Examination and Evaluation for the UG, PG and Ph.D. programs of the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.
- Managing conduction of the examinations of 4 UG Degree programs, 22 PG and 24 Ph.D. degree programs of the Graduate School of ICAR-IARI in the New Delhi campus and 12 Academic Hubs across the country.
Scientist (Senior & Principal)
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute
08.2006 - Current
- Managed a research portfolio focused on developing high yielding, bio-fortified and climate-resilient crop varieties.
- Authored more than 116 research papers in peer-reviewed journals, significantly contributing to the field.
- Mentored about 20 Doctoral, Post-Doctoral, Master, Woman Scientist Project Scholars and Interns who have now secured leadership roles in academia and government.
- Organized national conferences, refreshers courses, and workshops on sustainable agriculture, innovative plant breeding tools, etc. that attracted participants from across the country.
Nodal Officer, CORC
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 12
05.2017 - Current
- Established two Collaborative Out Station Research Centres (CORC) in public-private partnership mode with two NGOs in Punjab and Madhya Pradesh that helped testing and popularizing varieties and technologies of ICAR-IARI in farmers field.
- Under CORC, a Seed Processing Unit was established in Madhya Pradesh for supplying good quality seeds to the farmers.
- Coordinated operations with other emergency service groups.
- Conducted regular reviews of operations and identified areas for improvement.
Education
Ph.D. -
South China Agricultural University
01.2003
Post-Doctoral - Allele Mining
Purdue University
Lafeyette, USA03-2012
M.Sc. - Agril.
Assam Agricultural University
Jorhat, Assam01.1992
B.Sc. - Agril.
Assam Agricultural University
Jorhat, Assam01.1990
Skills
Leadership: Strategic Planning, Team Management, Institutional Development, Resource Mobilization
Teaching and Guidance: Teaching of UG, PG and PhD courses and guidance of PG and PhD scholars, Course development
Technical: Agricultural Biotechnology, Crop Science, Research Methodology, Data Analysis
Interpersonal: Public Speaking, Policy Advocacy, Stakeholder Engagement, Community Building
Accomplishments
- University Gold Medal, AAU, Jorhat
- ASPEE Gold Medal, AAU, Jorhat
- Lt. Dr. K.D. Memorial Gold Medal, AAU, Jorhat
- Lakhipriya (Krishnai) Devi Memorial Cash Prize, AAU, Jorhat
- Dr. S.R. Barooah Cash Prize, AAU, Jorhat
- Assam Company Scholarship, AAU, Jorhat
- Best Teacher Award, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi
- President's Council Member, Purdue University, USA
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Hindi
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Assamese
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Bengali
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Chinese (Mandarin)
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Timeline
Controller of Examination
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute
06.2023 - Current
Nodal Officer, CORC
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 12
05.2017 - Current
Head (In-charge), National Phytotron Facility
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute
05.2014 - Current
Scientist (Senior & Principal)
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute
08.2006 - Current
M.Sc. - Agril.
Assam Agricultural University
B.Sc. - Agril.
Assam Agricultural University
Ph.D. -
South China Agricultural University
Post-Doctoral - Allele Mining
Purdue University
Significant Achievements
- Successfully developed and released high yielding, bio-fortified and climate-resilient varieties of soybean.
- Secured competitive grant of several crores of rupees from the Ministry of Agriculture and Science and Technology for a flagship research project on widening soybean genetic base and accelerated crop improvement program.
- Recognized with the "Best Teacher Award" for outstanding contribution in teaching, research and human resource development.
- Involved in the institutional accreditation process, resulting in the top ranking among agricultural institution in the nation.
- Involved in community outreach programs through the CORCs, Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav and Vikshit Krishi Sankal Abhiyan (VKSA) programs that trained over 5,000 farmers in modern agricultural techniques.
Publications
- Published 116 Research Papers, 8 Book Chapters, 17 popular articles (English & Hindi), 3 Training Manuals, 3 Lab Manuals, several Assamese articles in the News Paper.
- Edited 4 books.
- Editor, Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding (An International Journal) since 2019.
Research and Guidance
- Obtained competitive grants for 7 research projects worth several crores of rupees and completed successfully.
- Guided Doctoral (15 nos.) and Master (4 nos.) scholars along with Post-Doctoral, Women Scientist Project Scholars and Interns.
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