Dean – School of AgricultureTakshashila University | Ongur, Tamil Nadu, India

Position Details

- Designation: Dean – School of Agriculture
- Institution: Takshashila University
- Location: Ongur, Tamil Nadu
- Employment Type: Full time
- Reporting To: Vice-Chancellor / University Leadership
- Experience: 15–20 years or more
- Position Level: Senior Academic Leadership

About Takshashila UniversityTakshashila University is committed to excellence in higher education, research, innovation and societal development. The University promotes quality teaching, interdisciplinary collaboration, industry engagement and outcome-based education. The School of Agriculture aspires to become a centre of excellence in agricultural education, research, innovation and extension, contributing to sustainable agriculture, food security and rural development.

Position OverviewTakshashila University invites applications from distinguished academicians and accomplished agricultural professionals for the position of Dean – School of Agriculture.

The Dean will provide strategic, academic, administrative and research leadership to the School. The incumbent will lead academic programme development, faculty recruitment, research initiatives, regulatory compliance, infrastructure development and industry collaborations.

The ideal candidate must demonstrate strong academic credentials, proven leadership, research excellence and the ability to establish the School as a recognised centre of excellence.

Key Roles and Responsibilities1.

Academic

Leadership and Governance

- Provide strategic leadership and overall direction to the School.
- Develop the School's vision, mission, strategic plans and annual development roadmap.
- Lead the design, implementation and review of UG, PG and doctoral programmes.
- Oversee curriculum development in accordance with applicable ICAR, UGC and regulatory frameworks.
- Promote outcome-based education, experiential learning, practical training and interdisciplinary teaching.
- Ensure effective functioning of the Board of Studies and other academic committees.
- Monitor teaching quality, student progression and programme outcomes.

2.

Regulatory

Compliance and Quality Assurance
- Ensure compliance with applicable ICAR guidelines, UGC regulations and statutory requirements.
- Monitor faculty qualifications, cadre composition, student-faculty ratios and infrastructure requirements.
- Maintain academic, laboratory, field activity and statutory records.
- Coordinate regulatory inspections, accreditation and institutional assessments.
- Ensure compliance with curriculum, credit, practical training and experiential learning requirements.
- Coordinate with IQAC for quality assurance, accreditation and ranking initiatives.

3. Research and Innovation
- Establish a strong research culture and encourage funded research projects.
- Promote research in emerging agricultural technologies and allied disciplines.
- Develop collaborations with ICAR institutes, agricultural universities, government departments and national/international research organisations.
- Encourage quality publications, patents, technology development and innovation.
- Identify and secure research grants from funding agencies.
- Promote student research, incubation, entrepreneurship and technology transfer.

4.

Faculty

Recruitment and Development




- Lead faculty workforce planning, recruitment and deployment.
- Identify faculty requirements across agricultural disciplines and specialisations.
- Ensure appropriate workload allocation and academic responsibilities.
- Mentor faculty in teaching, research, publications and professional development.
- Encourage participation in FDPs, conferences, workshops and research collaborations.
- Establish faculty performance evaluation and academic development mechanisms.
- Build a culture of accountability, collaboration and academic excellence.

5. Infrastructure and Laboratory Development
- Plan and develop academic and research infrastructure.
- Ensure adequate laboratories, experimental farms, demonstration plots, greenhouses, nurseries and practical training facilities.
- Prepare proposals for laboratory equipment, farm machinery, irrigation and research infrastructure.
- Ensure proper maintenance, safety and utilisation of facilities.
- Promote modern agricultural technologies and technology-enabled learning.
- Develop institutional farms and field demonstration units.

6.

Student

Development and Academic Excellence
- Ensure quality academic delivery and achievement of learning outcomes.
- Promote hands-on training, field exposure, internships and experiential learning.
- Facilitate student participation in research, agricultural exhibitions, competitions and innovation initiatives.
- Strengthen career guidance, placements and entrepreneurship development.
- Establish linkages with agribusiness companies, startups and research institutions.
- Encourage community engagement and rural development activities.
- Monitor student performance, progression and mentoring.

7.

Industry

Collaboration and Extension
- Establish partnerships with agricultural industries, agribusiness organisations, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), NGOs and government departments.
- Develop MoUs with research institutions, universities and industry partners.
- Facilitate field visits, internships, consultancy and collaborative research.
- Organise farmer training, agricultural awareness and extension programmes.
- Promote technology transfer and dissemination of research findings to farming communities.
- Develop industry-oriented academic and skill development programmes.

8.

Institutional

Administration and Resource Management
- Prepare annual academic plans, budgets and institutional development proposals.
- Ensure optimal utilisation of human, financial and physical resources.
- Monitor School performance against institutional objectives.
- Establish transparent academic and administrative processes.
- Strengthen the School's reputation, visibility and institutional performance.

Educational Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Agriculture or an appropriate allied agricultural discipline from a recognised university.
- Master's degree in Agriculture or an allied discipline with a robust academic record.




- Bachelor's degree in Agriculture or a relevant agricultural discipline.
- All qualifications must satisfy applicable ICAR, UGC and other regulatory requirements.

Experience Requirements
- Preferably 15–20 years or more of experience in agricultural education, research and academic administration.
- Significant teaching and research experience in a recognised agricultural university or higher education institution.
- Substantial academic leadership experience as Dean, Associate Dean, Director, Professor and Head, Principal Scientist or equivalent.
- Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, academic governance and institutional development.
- Strong record of research publications, funded projects, research supervision and academic collaborations.
- Experience in regulatory compliance, accreditation, quality assurance and inspections.
- Industry partnerships and agricultural extension experience will be an advantage.

Essential Competencies
- Strong academic leadership and institutional governance.
- Comprehensive knowledge of Indian agricultural education and research systems.
- Working knowledge of ICAR guidelines, UGC regulations and statutory requirements.
- Strategic planning and institutional development.
- Strong research orientation and academic networking.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to lead multidisciplinary academic teams.
- Financial planning, budgeting and resource management.
- Ability to develop industry partnerships and attract research funding.
- Commitment to academic integrity and student development.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)Performance will be assessed based on:
1. Academic quality, curriculum development and programme effectiveness.
2. Compliance with ICAR, UGC and other applicable regulatory requirements.
3. Faculty recruitment, development and performance.
4. Research publications, funded projects and collaborations.
5. Development and utilisation of laboratories, experimental farms and research infrastructure.
6. Student outcomes, placements and entrepreneurship.
7. Industry partnerships, MoUs and extension activities.
8. Institutional visibility, academic reputation and overall development of the School.

Preferred Candidate ProfileThe ideal candidate will be an accomplished Professor or senior academician in Agriculture or an allied discipline, with a strong research and publication record, proven academic administration experience and sound knowledge of agricultural education standards. The candidate must possess the vision and leadership capabilities to build a high-performing academic team, develop research infrastructure, establish strategic partnerships and position the School as a centre of excellence.

Application ProcessInterested and eligible candidates are invited to submit their updated CV and covering letter highlighting their qualifications, teaching and research experience, administrative achievements, research contributions and vision for developing the School of Agriculture.

Application Subject: Application for the Position of Dean – School of Agriculture

Institution: Takshashila University

Location: Ongur, Tamil Nadu, India

Takshashila University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from qualified and accomplished academic professionals.

📌 Dean, School of Agriculture (Tindivanam)
🏢 Takshashila University
📍 Tindivanam