V.Krishnakumar's Review On Kerala Agricultural University - [KAU], Thrissur

I have attended the entrance test for the above course. I found the B.Sc(Ag) course to be highly challenging to develop technological interventions for increasing productivity of crops in Kerala.The test was very impressing since I had made some preparations and I could succeed to score good score( third rank, don't remember the score) in it. No interview was there. The B.Sc (Ag) course was offered in Kerala only in the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram,Kerala

The students who have passed the B.Sc(Ag) course were placed as Junior Agricultural Officer on adhoc basis initially and later on selecetd by the Kerala Public . Service commision and posted on permanent basis in the Department of Agriculture.

The first to come to my mind is the freshers' day, celebrated after about three months of joining, being organized by the seniors. This was an occasion to understand them and get idea abut the entire life waiting in front of us. There were also annual programmes, exhibitions for farmers and other people etc.

The college was a govt. college and hence the fees were nominal. I have studied during 1975 to 1979. I had to pay an annual fee of Rs. 2000/- and it was affordable and I was getting a scholarship from second year on wards. The other fees include the mess fees, and being a vegetarian, it was also affordable.

I stayed in UG hostel, the rooms, which were shared. There were four students in a room during the first two years, which was reduced to two during the third and fourth years of study. The rooms were comfortable,and facilities such as bath room and toilets were common.The fee was also reasonable, coming to Rs.350/month (during 1975 to 1979).

The system of learning was trimester system,and hence there were frequent examinations like announced and unannounced tests, mid term and final exams. Assignments and term papers added to the tension of studying and performing in the class. Added to this there were practical exams for each course and of course, I was feeling it comfortable, as I was keeping pace with them, keeping up to date in the studies.

The entire faculty was very much helpful in imparting knowledge and sharing their experiences, as well as clearing the doubts, if any. They were well versed in their field of specialization and up to date. However, some of them were very strict in the class and even conducted unannounced tests in the middle of the lecture class. Since I was a studious student, I did not feel any difficulty and finally could get second rank in the B.Sc (Ag) programme.