The Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between Balipara Foundation & Gauhati University

Guwahati : On 15th November 2024, the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) took place in the Conference Hall of the Gauhati University Vice Chancellor’s Office, marking the beginning of an exciting collaboration between the Balipara Foundation and the university’s Aquaculture & Biodiversity Centre. This MoA signals the start of a partnership focused on enhancing environmental conservation, biodiversity research, and sustainable development in Northeast India.

Gauhati University, the oldest institution of higher learning in Northeast India, has played a pivotal role in the region’s educational landscape since its establishment in 1948. Today, it stands as a premier institution with a strong academic presence, offering a wide range of degree programs and supporting over 7,000 students on campus. Recently, the university earned an A+ accreditation from NAAC and was ranked 57th overall in the 2024 NIRF rankings, solidifying its position as a leading institution in India, particularly in the northeastern region.

The Aquaculture & Biodiversity Centre, a crucial component of Gauhati University, has made significant strides in preserving Northeast India’s rich biodiversity. The Centre’s notable achievements include the discovery of eight new fish species, the development of breeding protocols for 17 indigenous fish species, and training over 4,000 fish farmers and youth in sustainable farming practices. The collaboration with Balipara Foundation is expected to further enhance these efforts, with a focus on expanding research, conservation projects, and sustainable development across the region.

The visit was an opportunity for the Balipara Foundation team, consisting of Mr. Ranjit Barthakur (Founder Forester), Ms. Karishma Ahmed, Mr. Subham C. Mondal, Mr. Nitu Kumar Kalita& Mr. Dion Chater, to engage with the leadership and faculty at Gauhati University, including Prof. Nonigopal Mahanta (Hon’ble Vice Chancellor), Dr.Hemanta Kumar Nath (Registrar), Prof. Utpal Sarma (Registrar i/c), Dr.Dandadhar Sarma (Head, Zoology Department), Prof. Dhruba Jyoti Saharia (Head, Geography Department), Dr. Padmini Bhuyan Boruah (Head, English Department), Mrinal Kumar Deka (Secretary to the Vice Chancellor), SK Dutta (OSD to the Vice Chancellor), and Kuldip Sarma (Zoology Department).

In addition to the MoA signing, the visit also included a tour of the Aquaculture & Biodiversity Centre and the university’s Botanical Garden, which provided the Balipara Foundation team with a firsthand look at the university’s commitment to environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation.

Looking ahead, the collaboration aims to focus on several key areas that align with both institutions’ goals:

1. Academic content development
2. Teaching leadership
3. Partnerships with Indian universities and universities overseas
4. Student placements
5. Development of students and faculty from neighbouring countries in Asia.

Additionally, the collaboration will explore the development of an indigenous forest and a seed bank/nursery within the Botanical Garden, as well as the creation of an ecological curriculum for the proposed Forest Fringe School. This initiative will play a vital role in supporting Gauhati University’s vision of fostering an industry-academia interface and empowering students and faculty to drive sustainable practices.

This was not only an opportunity to formalize this important partnership, but also to set the stage for future collaboration, ensuring that both Balipara Foundation and Gauhati University continue to work together to address the pressing environmental challenges in the Northeast and beyond.