Dr.
S.S. Baghel, an eminent agricultural scientist of the country, took charge on January
10, 2005 as the Vice-Chancellor of Assam Agricultural University. Acclaimed for
his significant contribution in the field of plant breeding and genetics,
particularly in sorghum breeding, Dr. Baghel served as the Vice-Chancellor of
Central Agricultural University, Imphal for six years till December, 2004. A
holder of brilliant academic records throughout his career, Dr. Baghel had
obtained first class first position in the bachelor’s degree programme in
agriculture from Agra University in 1963 and also received gold medal for his
doctoral research programme from Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI),
New Delhi in 1968. He started his professional
career as an Assistant Professor at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and
Technology in 1968. He also served Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya,
Jabalpur; Indira Gandhi Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya, Raipur etc. in various
capacities from Associate Professor to Dean, College of Agriculture. Besides,
he had the experience of serving as the Managing Director of Madhya Pradesh
State Seeds and Farms Development Corporation in 1988. A widely travelled
scientist who visited countries like the U.S.A., Mexico, Phillipines, Kenya,
Columbia, Malaysia etc. on important assignments, Dr. Baghel was also elected
as the President of the Indian Agricultural Universities Association in 2003.
Presently he is holding Chairmanship of Research Advisory Committees of a
number of national organizations like National Bureau of Plant Genetic
Resources, New Delhi; Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow; ICAR
Research Complex, NER, Barapani. He is also currently the member of the
Governing Body of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, an apex organization
responsible for coordinating the Agricultural Education, Research and Extension
Education in the country.