Our management team comprises dedicated leaders committed to advancing agricultural education with innovation and sustainability. Their expertise and guidance shape future agripreneurs, fostering a deep connection between food, culture and agriculture.
Visionary Leadership at The Indian Agriculture College
Chairman
Dr. S.A. Joy Raja
A Visionary Leader in Education
A passionate leader committed to advancing education and transforming agricultural learning for future generations. With a strong Computer Science and Business Administration background, he has gained extensive global exposure by working with multinational corporations in Canada and the USA. His role as a consultant for several international projects has given him deep insights into advanced educational methodologies, leadership strategies, and technological innovations.
With a passion for empowering students, he brings a global perspective to education while preserving the essence of cultural and agricultural heritage. His commitment to fostering excellence is evident in his approach to integrating modern technology with traditional learning, ensuring students receive a well-rounded and industry-relevant education. Under his leadership, the institution is evolving into a dynamic hub of research, innovation, and sustainable agricultural practices.
Driven by his mission to transform the institution into a temple of learning, Dr. Joy Raja continuously implements innovative strategies that bridge the gap between education and industry. His vision is to nurture future agripreneurs who are not only skilled professionals but also responsible contributors to the agricultural sector and society. Through his leadership, The Indian Agriculture College stands as a beacon of knowledge, innovation, and excellence in agricultural education.
Advisor
Dr. E. I. Jonathan
A Guiding Force in Agricultural Research and Education
He is a distinguished agricultural scientist with extensive expertise in Agricultural Entomology and Plant Nematology. He earned his M.Sc. (Ag.) and Ph.D. from TNAU, Coimbatore and pursued Post-Doctoral Research at North Carolina State University, USA, in 1998. With 37 years of dedicated service in research and teaching, he has mentored 24 M.Sc. (Ag.) and 19 Ph.D. students, contributing significantly to the field of agricultural sciences. His scholarly contributions include 12 published books and 116 research papers in esteemed National and International journals.
During his tenure (2009-2013) as Director of the Centre for Plant Protection Studies at TNAU, Coimbatore, Dr. Jonathan played a pivotal role in achieving agronomic, ecological, and economic breakthroughs. His groundbreaking work in classical biocontrol effectively managed the invasive mealybug, benefiting Indian agriculture. He has successfully led several Government of India-funded research projects under DBT, DST, ICAR and NADP, further strengthening advancements in plant protection. Additionally, he has organized National and International conferences, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange in the agricultural sector.
With his vast experience and visionary leadership, Dr. E. I. Jonathan continues to be an invaluable advisor, guiding future agricultural scientists and shaping sustainable farming practices for a better tomorrow.
Principal
Dr. S. Manickavasagam
A Pioneer in Agricultural Entomology and Education
He is a renowned entomologist and academician with extensive contributions to insect biodiversity and agricultural research. He earned his B.Sc. (Ag) and M.Sc. (Ag) in Agricultural Entomology from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, and completed his Ph.D. from IARI, New Delhi. His post-doctoral research at the Natural History Museum, London, under the prestigious Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship (2007), further enriched his expertise. He also served as a Visiting Scientist at the Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.
With over three decades of research experience, Dr. Manickavasagam has focused on the biodiversity of insect parasitoids, describing nearly 100 new species. During his tenure at Annamalai University, spanning over 28 years, he mobilized over ₹3 crores in research funding, establishing specialized laboratories for insect taxonomy and biological control. He played a key role in creating a unique “Insect Museum,” housing lakhs of insect specimens, representing all known insect orders in India, with globally recognized collections of insect parasitoids. His contributions include coding and depositing 25 species of chalcid parasitoids in GenBank.
Dr. Manickavasagam has travelled to over 15 countries to present his research and collaborate with global experts. He has authored more than 160 research papers in prestigious National and International journals, along with 10 books and book chapters. A dedicated mentor, he has guided 14 Ph.D. and 31 M.Sc. (Ag) scholars. His contributions to entomology have earned him numerous accolades, including FRES, FESI, FPPAI, FSBA, the Prof. T.N. Ananthakrishnan Award (2014), and the Rao Sahib Dr. T. V. Ramakrishna Ayyar Memorial Award (2021).
As Principal of The Indian Agriculture College, Dr. Manickavasagam continues to drive excellence in education, research, and innovation, shaping the future of agricultural sciences.