Dr. Digvir Jayas was born in Mant, India and educated at India’s G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, the University of Manitoba and the University of Saskatchewan. He is a Registered Professional Engineer and a Registered Professional Agrologist.
Dr. Jayas’s record as an agricultural researcher, educator and administrator has established him as a world leader and expert in grain storage and handling research aimed at preserving valuable food and grain products from degradation and spoilage. His mathematical modeling of the physical, chemical and biological factors in stored grain ecosystems is now applied to grain, oilseed and pulse storage and handling systems around the globe. He has led the world in image processing and machine visioning for grain handling and food process control.
Digvir has authored or co-authored over 900 technical articles in scientific journals, conference proceedings and books dealing with issues of storing, drying, handling and quality monitoring of grains.
Dr. Jayas has been instrumental in bringing together federal and provincial research and development institutions, enterprises, multinational corporation and venture capital firms to advance agriculture in Manitoba.
He has chaired, led and served on the boards or committees of many agricultural, health and engineering organizations; locally, nationally and internationally including the Manitoba and Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers and the International Standards Organization.
In 2009, Digvir was inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and, in 2018, he was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Dr. Jayas has had the opportunity to teach and mentor hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students who have, themselves, gone on to make significant contributions to local and global economies. In addition, he has served in various leadership roles in the community including President of the India Canada Cultural and Heritage Association as well as championing science, engineering and technology education, specifically for grade 11 and 12 girls as well as judging science fairs and coaching soccer.
Described as an outstanding and celebrated academic and researcher, Dr. Jayas portrays strong, collaborative leadership which continues to earn the respect of colleagues, students and associates alike.