SHUBHANGI SHIFA
Ranchi, April 21: The Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) on Thursday conferred Honorary Professorship on Dr Daisaku Ikeda, one of the world’s leading interpreters of Buddhism, President of Soka Gakkai International (SGI) and founder of Soka University, Japan in recognition to his outstanding contribution in the field of the green revolution, global peace and new global humanism.
Dr Ikeda could not come personally to receive the Honorary Professorship due to his advanced age (94), however, the citation was received jointly by Dr Yoshihisa Baba, former president of Soka University, Dr Akash Ouchi, SGI Director and Vinesh Gupta, Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSK) chairperson.
BAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Onkar Nath Singh, Registrar Dr Sailesh Chattopadhyay and Dean Agriculture Dr Sandip Kumar Pal handed over the citation to the Japanese delegation.
Dr IKeda, in his award acceptance speech presented by Dr Yoshihisa Baba, former president of Soka University, said the happiness of a nation depends on farmers’ peace and prosperity and it was very satisfying to note that challenges faced by the farming community were well taken care of by BAU.
Dr Onkar Nath Singh, Vice-Chancellor, BAU said Dr Ikeda has repeatedly warned about the dangers of taking agriculture lightly and has advocated for taking it very seriously taking into consideration all aspects of the future of humankind, and culture, tradition, respect for life and environment protection. “We also have plans to collaborate with the university in terms of academics and research. Talks in this matter are undergoing,” Singh added.
BAU Dean Agriculture Dr SK Pal welcomed the guests, Dean Forestry Dr MS Malik made a presentation entitled ‘BAU at a glance’ and Dean PG Dr MK Gupta proposed a vote of thanks. Registrar Dr S Chattopadhyay coordinated the event and Shashi Singh anchored.
BAU and Soka University had signed an MoU about a month ago for mutual cooperation in the field of teaching, research, publication and other academic activities. As per the MoU inked for the next five years, both the universities can exchange faculty, and staff, will jointly conduct research and consultancy, share information and publications and participate in other activities aimed at the development of both the institutions of higher learning.
The agreement will not create an additional financial burden on the institutions. On Wednesday evening, officials of both the institutions discussed their activities, achievements and infrastructure in the Board Room to further strengthen mutual collaboration.
Other members of the 11-member Japanese delegation included BSG Director General Indranath Chaudhary, Head of External Relations NS Anand, Women Division Chief Rashi Ahuja, Yoshihiro Ozaki, Rajiv Takahashi, Satoko Ono, Renichiro Nakagawa, and Takaaki Kobayashi.
