World Aquaculture India 2025 welcomes aquaculture leader as a plenary speaker

The World Aquaculture Society and the National Organizing Committee of World Aquaculture India 2025 announced Dr. Modadugu Vijay Gupta as a plenary speaker at World Aquaculture India 2025 (WAI2025), to be held at the Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, Hyderabad, India, from November 10–13, 2025.

Gupta has been a global leader in aquaculture research and development for over five decades, dedicating his career to improving food and nutritional security in developing countries. He has worked in more than 20 countries across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific, with a particular emphasis on empowering rural women and landless communities through aquaculture. Over the years, he has held distinguished positions with UN-ESCAP, FAO, the WorldFish Center (CGIAR), and ICAR, and also coordinated the International Network for Genetics in Aquaculture (INGA). He has served as a consultant to major international organizations, including the World Bank, ADB, UNDP, USAID, and the Commonwealth Secretariat. His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, among them the Padma Shri (Government of India), the World Food Prize, the Sunhak Peace Prize, and an Honorary Life Membership of the World Aquaculture Society.

At WAI2025, Gupta will deliver a keynote address on “Aquaculture Opportunities, Options, and Optimism,” focusing on key challenges and opportunities for the sector.

The organizers also announced that the abstract submission deadline has been extended to September 30, 2025. Student submissions will be considered for the Asian Pacific Chapter (APC) Awards, which recognize excellence in aquaculture research, innovation, and engagement, with special emphasis on students and women in the field.

This year’s program introduces a new Professional Merit Award, presented alongside the established Student and Women’s Participation Awards. All awards follow the global WAS framework to ensure fairness, consistency, and recognition across regions. Award categories include:

Pre-conference Student Travel Awards (Best Abstracts): 3 awards of USD 400 each (deadline: September 30, 2025)
Student Presentation & Poster Awards (during the conference): prizes ranging from USD 400–600.
Women’s Participation Travel Awards: 2 awards of USD 600 each (deadline: September 30, 2025)
Professional Merit Award (new in 2025): up to two awards recognizing outstanding contributions to aquaculture in Asia (deadline: September 30, 2025).

Applicants must be current WAS or WAS-APC members. Abstract submission is required for Student travel awards. Past winners are not eligible.

More Information can be found out at WASAPC website Asian Pacific Chapter | World Aquaculture Society or by email to John Cooksey (worldaqua@was.org).