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Speaker's biography:
Ram completed his BSc in Animal Science from the Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), formerly, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences (IAAS), Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal in 1992 and MSc (1994) & PhD (1999) in Aquaculture from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand. He did post-doctoral studies from the University of Stirling, Scotland during 2000-2001 and the University of Montpellier III, France in 2012. He is an Adjunct Faculty of AFU. He regularly visits Nepal and gives seminars.
He started his career at AIT as a Research Associate/Scientist in 1994 and Affiliated Faculty in 2005 taking responsibilities of teaching and supervising post-graduate students. Ram wrote two important books, “A Manual for Tilapia Business Management” and “Statistics for Aquaculture” as a sole author. He has published about 20 books and book chapters, nearly 50 journal articles, 200 other scientific papers and presented papers over 100 international conferences, workshops, or seminars around the globe as keynote/invited speeches.
His research and development (R&D) work is in the field of aquaculture development and fisheries management. Founding a self-sustaining Aqua-Centre (https://aqua-centre.org) within AIT, he has organized nearly 100 training and study tour programs and provided training to farmers to senior executives of private and public sectors. He designed “Women in Aquaculture (WiA)” program which started with Tharu women in Chitwan then expanded to Nawal Parasi, Lamjung and Gorkha during 2000-2010. He also served as Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) of a USAID funded project, “Agriculture Learning Exchange and Regional Networking (AgLEARN) project which facilitated transfer of new agricultural technologies to Bangladesh, Cambodia and Nepal during 2013-2017.
He has led curriculum development program for aquaculture/fisheries in Asia funded by EU which began with “Improving Master’s Degree level education in Cambodia, Nepal and Vietnam” during 2005-2008 continued to “Linking the post-graduate education with its industries through internship program” during 2007–2010 that supported over 100 students globally. His recently completed project, “Curriculum Development for Sustainable Seafood and Nutrition Security” established nine sustainable seafood centres and launched improved MSc curricula, training and internship programs engaging nearly 100 lecturers and academic staff of Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam) and Europe (Greece, Norway and UK) during 2017-2022 (https://www.seafood-security.org).
He was awarded a GOLD MEDAL by Asian Fisheries Society (AFS) in 2009 for the recognition of his contribution to aquaculture education in the region. He serves as a member of the World Aquaculture Society (WAS), Asian Fisheries Society, Nepalese Fisheries Society (life member) and also an advisor to Seafood Watch Program of Monterey Bay Aquarium of California, USA.
