TNAU has been awarded the Institutional Development Plan on Enhancing the Learning Outcome, Employability and Entrepreneurial Skills of Farm Graduates through Excellence in Education” with a budget of Rs.24.86 crores from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi under National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP) for Institutional Development Plan (IDP). Tamil Nadu Government also sponsored Rs.5.00 crores for this TNAU-IDP.
The project mainly aims to improve the learning ability of students to make them leaders in managing the agribusiness and to become job providers rather than job seekers in future. The project facilitates the University
a) in developing state of the art of modern classrooms and language laboratory to improve the communication skills and soft skill
b) in undergoing training by the students and faculty in various internationally renowned institutes and
c) in strengthening the Alumni network and linkages with agribusiness firms for the benefit of farm graduates.
On 24.5.2023, Mr. M.R.K. Pannerselvam, Honourable Minister for Agriculture – Farmers Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu, visited TNAU to see the facilities established under Institutional Development Plan and interact with the students. Dr.V.Geethalakshmi, Vice – Chancellor, TNAU accompanied the Honourable Minister and explained the initiatives under IDP. The Honourable Minister visited the Augmented and Virtual Reality Laboratory and the faculty members explained the 15 modules of class material developed using augmented reality and virtual reality techniques. The students demonstrated the virtual reality module prepared for training students in darting techniques used for elephants.
At the Language laboratory at TNAU, Coimbatore, the faculty members explained the arrangements made for teaching French and German to students. The students also explained the efforts taken by them in using the language lab for improving their communication skills using English.
The Honourbale Minister visited the Digital Extension Innovation Lab and interacted with the students. The students explained the video editing and digital poster making skills gained by them and showcased few interesting videos.
About 37 undergraduate students from six disciplines are undergoing two months training in international institutes in Dubai, Australia, South Korea, Taiwan and Edinburgh. All these students attended an online meeting with the Honourable Minister and explained the programs undertaken by them and the likely benefits to themselves and the society.