Research Advisory Committee (RAC) of an institute is the apex advisory group to review the on-going research and development programmes and provides need-based directions to re-orient/modify the research programs for the ensuing year. The first meeting of the newly constituted RAC meeting was held during 24-25th March 2023.
Dr Iddya Karunasagar, Former Senior Fish Safety and Quality Specialist, FAO, Rome is the Chairman of the RAC along with him the following members of RAC: Dr M. Sudhakar, Former Director, Central Marine Living Resources Institute (CMLRI), Kochi, Dr A. K. Pal, Former Joint Director, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai, Dr A. Laxminarayana, Former Head, Fisheries Environment Management Division, CMFRI, Kochi, and Prof. T. J. Abraham, Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, WBUAFS, Kolkata attended the meeting. Dr Shubhadeep Ghosh, Assistant Director General (Marine Fisheries) ICAR representing the fisheries SMD attended the meeting by on-line as an ex-officio member.
On the first day, the meeting began with the welcome speech by Dr Kuldeep Kumar Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA. He made a presentation on the institute’s research programmes, participation in the national mission programmes and salient achievements of the institute in the previous year. The Director also highlighted the priority research areas of ICAR-CIBA for the next five years. Subsequently, Dr Kumaraguru vasagam, Member secretary, RAC presented the action taken report on the recommendation of 27th RAC meeting. Heads of the Divisions and in-charges of the functional units presented their research progress and significant achievements during the last year.
On the second day, the committee visited the Muttukkadu and Kovalam Experimental Stations to review the research and development activities such as hatchery seed production, farming, feed processing, aquatic animal health experimental facilities etc. The Chairman and the members interacted with concerned scientists, acquainted with the significant research contribution of the scientists and provided necessary advisories for better scientific outcome. The committee appreciated team CIBA for the technologies developed, commercialized and the resources generated through externally funded projects. Later, the RAC put forward the action points delineated from the two days’ deliberations for drafting the proceedings. The meeting concluded with the vote of thanks by Dr C.V. Sairam, Principal Scientist and In-charge PME section.
