Best Department of Animal Nutrition (India)
A. Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a recognized department under a veterinary or agricultural university/institute in India.
- Should have been operational for at least 10 years.
- Must have a dedicated faculty team specializing in Animal Nutrition.
B. Evaluation Parameters
1. Academic Excellence
- Number and quality of UG, PG, and Ph.D. programs offered.
- Curriculum innovation and integration of modern nutritional science.
- Student performance in national-level exams and placements.
2. Research Output and Innovation
- Number of peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals.
- Ongoing and completed research projects (ICAR, DST, DBT, etc.).
- Patents filed/granted and technologies developed.
- Research impact on livestock productivity and sustainability.
3. Faculty Credentials and Achievements
- Number of faculty with Ph.D. and postdoctoral experience.
- Awards, fellowships, and recognitions received by faculty.
- Participation in national/international conferences and editorial boards.
4. Infrastructure and Facilities
- Availability of modern laboratories, feed analysis equipment, and experimental farms.
- ICT-enabled classrooms and e-learning resources.
- Access to journals, databases, and software tools.
5. Extension and Outreach Activities
- Training programs conducted for farmers, veterinarians, and stakeholders.
- Collaboration with KVKs, NGOs, and government bodies.
- Impact of outreach programs on field-level nutrition practices.
6. Industry and Institutional Collaboration
- MoUs with feed companies, dairy cooperatives, and research institutes.
- Joint projects, internships, and consultancy services.
- Technology transfer and commercialization efforts.
7. Student Development and Alumni Success
- Alumni achievements in academia, industry, and government.
- Student participation in national/international competitions.
- Career support and mentoring initiatives.
8. Governance and Ethics
- Transparent administration and financial management.
- Inclusivity, gender equity, and ethical research practices.
- Feedback mechanisms and grievance redressal systems.
C. Nomination and Selection Process
1. Nomination Submission
- Nominations can be submitted by university authorities, professional bodies (e.g., ANSI, ANA), or self-nominated by the department.
- Required documents:
- Detailed department profile
- Supporting data for each evaluation parameter
- Letters of recommendation (minimum two)
2. Scoring and Ranking
- Each parameter scored on a scale of 1 to 10.
- Weighted average used to determine final score.
