Assam Agricultural University - Open & Distance Learning

The Directorate of Open & Distance Learning, AAU, successfully organized the Hands-on Training followed by Valedictory & Certificate Distribution Programme for the Short-Term Course on Flower Arrangements for Various Occasions. The course started on the 2nd May, 2026. The Certificate Distribution Ceremony & the Valedictory Session was held today on 23rdJuly, 2026 at Deptt of Resource Management & Consumer Science (RMCS), College of Community Science, AAU, Jorhat. The hands-on training part of the course covered making of bouquets for different special occasion, floral arrangement for different events, flower wreaths, Garlands, boutonniere or buttonhole floral decoration.
The learners actively participated in the practical sessions and showed enthusiasm, creativity, and skill while working with a variety of flowers and floral accessories under experienced faculties. The course was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Bijoylaxmi Bhuyan, Associate Professor, Deptt. of RMCS, who served as the Course Director, Dr. Mira Kalita, Assistant Professor, Deptt of RMCS, serving as the Course Coordinator along with Dr. Nandita Bhattacharya, HoD & Professor, Deptt of RMCS and Dr. Swapnali Borah, Professor, Deptt of RMCS, Dr. Sonia Langthasa, Assistant Professor, Deptt of RMCS.
The Valedictory Session was graced by Dr. Nandita Bhattacharya, HoD & Professor, Deptt of RMCS and Incharge Dean, CCSc with her valuable speech. The programme concluded with the Certificate Distribution Ceremony.

The Directorate of AAU-ODL, Khanapara, successfully conducted the Orientation Programme (Online) of Short-term and Certificate Courses for Admission Cycle–12 on 21st July, 2026. AAU-ODL extends a warm welcome to all the learners and wishes them a rewarding, enriching, and successful academic journey through open and distance learning.
The Programme was graced by Dr. Manoranjan Neog, Chairman, AAU-ODL Management Committee and DEE, AAU, Jorhat; Dr. Prakash Kalita, Coordinator, AAU-ODL Management Committee; Dr. Pallav K. Sharma, Principal Investigator, AICRPDA, BNCA; Dr. Ratul K. Bora, PS, department of Entomology, AAU; and Dr. Hiranya K. Bora, CS, AAU-ZRS, Shillongoni, who addressed the learners and shared their valuable insights and best wishes.
The Course Directors of respective courses Dr. Supriya Sharma (Mushroom Production Technology), Dr. Bikram Borkotoky (Waste Recycling & Vermicompost Production Technology), Dr. Sampreety Gogoi (Life Skill Education), Dr. Rudra Narayan Borkakoty (Production of Bio-control Agents for Entrepreneurship Development) and Dr. Luna Dutta Baruah (Bakery and Confectionery Products) highlighted the curriculum, conduct and learning opportunities. The Course Coordinators and course teachers of various courses were also present in the programme.
The programme was conducted by Dr. Ramani Kanta Thakuria, Director, AAU-ODL, and was chaired by Dr. Manoranjan Neog, DEE, AAU, Jorhat. Dr. Ramani Kanta Thakuria briefed the learners on the guidelines, academic structure, and modalities of the courses. Dr. Manoranjan Neog emphasized the importance of the courses in promoting entrepreneurship and highlighted the Government's continued focus on fostering entrepreneurial skills and self-employment opportunities among individuals. The welcome address and vote of thanks were delivered by Dr. Ranjita Bezbaruah, AAU-ODL.

A team from Aranyak (Scientific & Industrial Research Organization), Guwahati, comprising Mr. Jayanta Kumar Pathak, Assistant Director, Environment Education & Capacity Building Division, and Dr. Banashree Sharma, Founder & Principal Consultant, visited the Directorate of AAU-ODL, Khanapara, today to discuss agricultural technologies related to climate resilience. The meeting focused on exploring collaborative initiatives to promote climate-resilient agricultural practices for the greater benefit of the farmers

Mr. Rupam Borthakur, a learner of AAU-ODL, who has successfully completed the course "Rooftop Gardening." and is currently enrolled in the certificate course "Biofertilizer production for entrepreneurship Development"

Mr. Borthakur is actively engaged in developing pollution-free and eco-friendly waste-to-energy solutions through his MSME unit, M/s Ankur Appliances & Mercantiles Pvt. Ltd., Guwahati.

During his visit to the Directorate of AAU-ODL today, he shared details of two of his upcoming innovative projects:

- Banana ripening using agricultural biomass.
- Biomass-based cold room technology for cooling and preservation of agricultural produce.

These innovative technologies have significant potential to reduce post-harvest losses, promote the productive use of agricultural biomass, and contribute to environmental sustainability through clean and eco-friendly solutions.

AAU-ODL is proud of its learners who are applying their knowledge to develop practical innovations that support sustainable agriculture and benefit farming communities.

Today, Mr. Pradeep Purohit, Chief Executive of Star Cement, visited the AAU ODL office to discuss hydroponics and protected cultivation of vegetables. His daughter-in-law, Ms. Hetvi Badiani, will enroll in the forthcoming Certificate Course on Production Technology of Biocontrol Agents for Entrepreneurship Development offered by AAU ODL. She along with her partner plans to take it up as a business venture.

Also, Sanjay Prabhakar V, Bsc Agriculture student from Tamil Nadu, visited the office with his father to inquire about the different courses offered. He has enrolled in the forthcoming Certificate Course in Bakery and Confectionery Products as he is interested in food science and technology.

Open & Distance Learning, AAU, Khanapara recently completed a six month certificate course on "Nursery Management" in online mode. The course started on the 24th Dec, 2025 and the Valedictory & Certificate Distribution ceremony was held on 25th June, 2026 at AAU, Jorhat. The Hands-on-Practical was conducted from 22nd to 25th June, 2026 at AAU, Jorhat. Dr. Sanjib Sarma , Associate Professor, CHFSR, AAU, Nalbari was the Course Director, Dr Kankana Deka, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of Horticulture, AAU, Jorhat as Course Coordinator, Dr. Saumitra Goswami, Assistant Professor, Dept of Food Science and Technology Programme, AAU, Jorhat, Dr. Shubhankar Saha, Assistant Professor, SCSA, AAU, Dhubri, Dr. Aradhana Barooah, Principal Scientist, Directorate of Research (Agri) AAU, Jorhat, Dr Supriya Sharma, Assistant Professor, Dept Plant Pathology, AAU, Jorhat, Dr. Nibedita Borgohain, Scientist, Dept. of Nematology, AAU, Jorhat, Dr Inee Gogoi, Scientist, Dept of Entomology, AAU, Jorhat & Dr Rinumoni Buragohain, Assistant Professor, CHFSR, AAU, Nalbari as course teacher. A very fruitful hands on practicals were conducted and learners were highly satisfied.
Dr Anata Saikia, Professor, Dept of Horticulture, AAU, Jorhat, Dr Prakash Kalita, Professor, Dept of Plant Physiology, AAU, Jorhat and Coordinator of AAU-ODL Management Committee, Dr Preeti Hatibarua, Professor, Dept of Horticulture, AAU, Jorhat, Dr. Bhabesh Deka, Junior Scientist, Dept of Horticulture, AAU, Jorhat, Dr. Sanjib Sarma , Associate Professor, CHFSR, AAU, Nalbari & Dr Kankana Deka, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of Horticulture, AAU, Jorhat were present in the valedictory & certificate distribution ceremony.

Dr P debnath prof. & Head dept of Plant Pathology, AAU , Jorhat, Dr. Dhiren Choudhury Principle Scientist, Plant Breeding & Genetics, AAU-HRS, KahiKuchi, Dr. Pulin Patgiri, Principal Scientist, Dept of Ento, AAU-HRS, KahiKuchi visited Directorate of AAU-ODL on 23.06.26

An Interactive Programme with AAU-ODL learners, under the initiative of the AAU-ODL was organized today at the Doordarshan Kendra, Guwahati.

The entrepreneurial learners who attended the programme were:Mrs. Kanaklata Das(Bakery and Confectionary),Ms. Puja Debnath(Garment Designing and Construction),Mrs. Nandita Ghose(Honey Bee and Mushroom Production Technology),Dr. Narayan Ch. Das(Layer Farming, Honey Bee Production Technology, High Value Horticultural Crops),Mr. Abhijit Saikia (Landscape Gardening, Mushroom Production, High Value Horticultural Crop),Mr. Niron Mushahari(Scientific Fish Farming),Mr. Sanjib Saikia(Honey Bee),Mrs. Niharika Choudhury(Rooftop Gardening),Mrs. Kanaklata Das(Mushroom Production Technology),Mrs. Minakshi Sharma Hazarika(High Value Horticulture Crops),Er. Rupam Kumar Borthakur(Rooftop Gardening, Biofertilizer Production Technology for Entrepreneurship Development),Mr. Harkanta Basumatary (Vermicomposting),Mr. Amar Gupta(Honey Bee),Mr. Khungkhra Kachari(Nursery Management),Ms. Bandita Deka(Rooftop Gardening, Nursery Management, Biofertilizer),Mrs. Renu Moni Das(Commercial floriculture),Mr. Sumit Nondi (Commercial Floriculture),Mrs. Mousumi Das(Goat Farming),Mr. Lwmsau Narzary(Honey Bee Production, Mushroom Production),Mr. Gautam Patgiri(Rooftop Gardening and Nursery Management),Mrs. Marami Dutta (Rooftop Gardening),Mrs. Binita Rajkhowa (Rooftop Gardening ),Mrs. Shreyasta Parveen (Rooftop Gardening ) and Mrs. Rita Deb(Rooftop Gardening).Dr. R. K. Thakuria, Director, AAU-ODL and Dr. R. Bezbaruah, Scientist,AAU-ODL were present representing the AAU-ODL. The programme was very much encouraging, seeing the enthusiasm among the learners for initiating such an innovative approach by AAU for the benefit of agriculture holistically.The programme was framed by Mr. Bishwa Kumar Das (Programme Executive) and also Mr. Kanak Dhuyan (Production Executive). The programme was conducted by Mr. Mowsam Hazarika, Rtd. Director of ASOCA Guwahati.

Mr. Apurba Nag, an entrepreneur engaged in honey bee keeping and mushroom cultivation, visited the AAU Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Office and interacted with the faculty to learn about the various programmes offered by AAU ODL. During the visit, Dr. R. K. Thakuria, Director, AAU ODL, and Dr. Ranjita Bezbaruah, Scientist, AAU ODL, provided valuable guidance and suggestions for strengthening and expanding his enterprise.

Ms. Ajanta Singh, an entrepreneur in the bakery and confectionery sector, visited the AAU Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Office and shared her entrepreneurial journey. During the interaction, Dr. R. K. Thakuria, Director, AAU ODL, and Dr. Ranjita Bezbaruah, Scientist, AAU ODL, provided valuable guidance and suggestions for the growth of her enterprise. Inspired by the programmes offered by AAU ODL, Ms. Singh also expressed her interest in taking admission in the upcoming admission cycle to further enhance her entrepreneurial and professional skills.