July 29, 2011, Hyderabad: Vidya Sagar Foundation (VIFOU) signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with JNTUH Hyderabad at the Chambers of the Honorable Vice-Chancellor Dr. D. N. Reddy on July 28, 2011 for affiliation of the two PG Diploma courses. This is for the first time that a top-ranking Agribusiness Seeds Company of the stature of Vibha Seeds Group with VIFOU as a CSR arm of the Group signed the MOU with JNTUH for educational and research programmes in specialized technology areas. Vibha Seeds Group Companies have a great reputation nation-wide for quality seeds distribution of 13 field crops, 18 vegetable crops, besides catering to floriculture and horticultural enterprises and also established massive R&D facilities in plant breeding, seed technology, biotechnology etc and one of Asia’s largest Seed processing and seed Conditioning plant.

Signing of MOU with JNTUH marks an important milestone for VIFOU, which was established in 2010 by Mr. Vidya Sagar Parchuri and his family members in Hyderabad, India. VIFOU aims at fulfilling the urgent need for upliftment of the rural masses through deployment of modern farming practices and employment-generating training. VIFOU has started two PG Diploma Courses in Advanced Plant Breeding and Advanced Seed Technology of one academic year duration each for freshly passed candidates with Master of Science or an equivalent examination in botany, plant breeding, genetics, biotechnology, seed science & seed technology and also horticulture with specialization in vegetables to impart advanced knowledge, skills and hands on practical training to enhance the employability potential of such candidates in seed industry.

Mr. Vidya Sagar Parchuri, Chairman, VIFOU stated that the objectives of VIFOU are to fulfill several corporate social responsibilities (CSP) in advanced education, research, social and charitable activities. The first step was to start the specialized PG diploma courses in advanced plant breeding and advanced seed technology to eliminate the shortage of plant breeders and seed technologists with specialized skills by improving their employability potentials in seed industry in the country.

Dr. D. N. Reddy, Honorable Vice-Chancellor, JNTUH said that the university has always been very supportive towards the technology in Agriculture sector and he also advised the University Professors to have frequent interactions with Vidya Sagar Foundation (VIFOU) and Vibha Seeds Group in regard to R&D facilities and avail of the same for training of their PG /Ph.D scholars.

Mr. Vidya Sagar Parchuri concluded that Vidya Sagar Foundation is also planning for new ambitious educational programmes in advanced and specialized technologies, post-harvest engineering/Technology and Masters in advanced Agri-business Management/Finance in cooperation with the prestigious JNTUH in the near future and also in advanced / specialized areas of farm sciences education and research in cooperation with Agri-Universities. He also sought the support and guidance of the Vice-Chancellor and Professors of JNTUH with rich educational experience to help VIFOU in establishing top-class educational programmes and institutions.

Dr. Smt. Lakshmi Narasu, Director IST, Dr. G. K. Viswanadh, DAP, Dr. Tulasi Ram Das, Registrar, Dr. Archana Giri and Dr. Uma, both Professors of Biotechnology of JNTUH and VIFOU Co-Chair Mrs. Chandravathi Parchuri and VIFOU Director Mr. Vamsi Krishna along with VIFOU officials were present at the MOU signing ceremony.