Postgraduate Institute Of Agriculture - Agricultural Biology
The Board of Study (BS) in Agricultural Biology is the only Board which caters to the need of producing postgraduates degree in Biological Sciences since the establishment of the PGIA in 1975. Presently, the BS offers postgraduate degrees in the areas of Biology, Biodiversity, Genetics, Plant Breeding and Biotechnology giving a strong exposure to current developments in these fields. The BS concentrates on research and outreach projects that conform to the national and international requirements. The Board has collaborations with the Department of Agriculture and many other national research institutes in the country to foster partnerships to strengthen the postgraduate education in related disciplines. The BS disseminates knowledge, developing skills and attitudes of postgraduate students to enhance the efficiency of agro-based industries towards self sufficiency while minimizing the environmental impact. Furthermore, the Board undertakes cutting-edge research through national and international grants providing opportunities for research students to acquire laboratory skills at the state of art laboratories and research fields conducted at national research institutes secured through collaborations. The Board also conduct various short courses, workshops and training programmes in the fields of Biology and Biotechnology.
Postgraduate Institute Of Agriculture - Plant Protection
Plant Protection has gained prominence in intensive agriculture due to the ever increasing losses caused by pest species infesting cultivated crops and harvested agricultural produce. Thus, the mission of the Board of Study in Plant Protection is to educate and train postgraduates on the theoretical and practical aspects of plant protection and to give leadership in this field in government and private agriculture sectors of the country. The Board offers a number of courses to provide students a substantial scientific knowledge in plant protection and related fields. Students get the opportunities to acquire theoretical knowledge and practical training to deal with pest problems and their management at farm level. The Board undertakes research in Plant Pathology, Entomology, Microbiology, Biotechnology and Nematology, with a major emphasis on environmentally friendly, economically sound and sustainable pest manage-ment systems. The Board of Study in Plant Protection works in close collaboration with the scientists of the Department of Agriculture, and national research institutes. The Board also has close links with academics and scientists in Sri Lanka as well as in foreign countries. The Board of Study conducts short term practical training courses for researchers in Molecular Biology and Pesticide Application Technology to pesticide marketing sectors and farmers. The students of the Board of study conduct their Ph.D. research on nationally important issues.
