Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU) was established in 2nd November2006 to provide facilities for higher education, research and extension in all the branches of agricultural sciences. Since its inception, SAU has been conducting both degree oriented (Master and Doctoral Programme) and non-degree (project-based) research activities. Initially, the management of both degree and non-degree research programmes of SAU was taken care of by the University authority. With the passage of time, the number of degree research students had substantially been increased. The research fund allocations from Government of Bangladesh and International Agencies had also been increased simultaneously. Meanwhile, some funding agencies preferred to allocate fund separately for degree and non-degree research programmes. In addition, some international agencies raised their fund for the development of SAU research. All these events and conditions led SAU research activities to gain a momentum creating enormous pressure especially in ensuring proper administrative functions. Hence, SAU authorities had to think to reorganize and diversify its research administration. Sylhet Agricultural University Research System (SAURES) established Ordinance 2008 and maintained by the University as an integral part thereof and subject to the provisions as this ordinance it shall have responsibility of co-ordination for research both fundamental and applied in all branches of Agricultural sciences. Since then, the project-based research activities carried out by the teachers of different faculties of SAU came under the direct management of SAURES.
An educational institution like the Sylhet Agricultural University has the mandates to perform multi-dimensional functions like teaching, research, training and extension to meet the needs and challenges of different clientele groups, including the farmers. The undergraduate and graduate students are the primary beneficiaries, scientists and personnel engaged in Agricultural development of the country are the intermediate beneficiaries and the farmers of the country are the ultimate beneficiaries of SAU.
The consideration of these facts the following goals are set for SAU Research System-
To generate information (technologic, ideas, thoughts, imagination, new fact, scientific laws etc) to increase the knowledge on Agricultural Sciences.
To develop research methodologies to increase the research capability of its graduates and others NARS scientists.
SAURES enjoys unique facilities of farms and laboratories available at SAU. On-station research activities are carried out through the use of laboratory facilities in almost all 47 departments and many field laboratories including the Agronomy, Crop Botany &Tea Production Technology, Horticulture, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Seed Pathology Centre, Dairy, Sheep, Goat and Poultry Farms, Artificial Insemination Center, Vaccine Production Center, Veterinary Hospital, Engineering Workshop, Botanical Garden, Weather Yard, Fish Farms, etc are also used for the purpose.
SAU has 223 teachers in 47 departments grouped under 6 faculties. Of them, 57 are Professors, 27 are Associate Professors, 95 are Assistant Professors and 44 are Lecturers. A total of 76 teachers obtained their PhD degrees from home and abroad. Most of them are involved in research projects. SAU has, thus, turned into the largest repository of highly qualified scientists in almost all branches of agricultural sciences in the country.