North Carolina State University is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).  ICAR, an autonomous organization under the auspices of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, runs the world’s largest network of R&D institutes and centers referred to as the National Agricultural Research System. 

Prof. Dr. K.M.L. Pathak, Deputy Director General (Animal Sciences), ICAR and Dr. C.S. Prasad, Director, National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology (NIANP) had brief discussions with different faculty and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to have collaboration with ICAR and NC State in research areas of common interest.  During their visit they would be meeting faculty and administrators in the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Natural Resources, and Veterinary Medicine.  The purpose of this visit is to identify areas of synergy between NC State and ICAR across agricultural-related disciplines, veterinary medicine, natural resources, climate change, biotechnology and nano-technology including extension networking, animal health and production that can be leveraged to address global challenges through collaboration, joint research and academic exchanges.

Chancellor Woodson welcomed ICAR Deputy Director General Pathak and NIANP Director Prasad to the University and noted, "Our international partnerships enhance student and faculty success, strengthen our core mission of academic excellence and broaden our ability to innovate solutions to the world's pressing problems."

From the genesis of discussions that began with a visit of NC State faculty to ICAR and NIANP, Bangalore in March 2012, the MOU between NC State and ICAR being signed today (October 22) formally launches a new phase that will include joint research, faculty and student exchanges, and development of extension efforts with stakeholders.  We look forward to building this relationship - not only for the benefit of NC State and ICAR - as Dr. Pathak noted the real beneficiaries to be the farmers whose lives and livelihoods are directly impacted by advances in agricultural research and education.