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Thursday March 28, 2024

Steps to develop livestock sector discussed

By Our Correspondent
January 28, 2020

LAHORE:University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad chaired a meeting of the heads of academic and administrative departments of the university here on Monday and discussed steps to further develop the university and the livestock sector.

The VC shared UVAS vision 2020-24 and sought suggestions from the participants. He spoke about his top roadmap/priorities including bringing UVAS graduates at par with international standards, international accreditation, new startups for graduates, innovations/patents, applied research focused on end-user benefit and linked with industry, new development and research projects and improving diagnostic and health services.

He emphasised that improving genetic potential of animals, increasing exports by value addition, food safety and quality, sustainable development goals, improving value chain (milk and meat), one health and smart livestock farming are his targets for livestock sector development. He said during his tenure he would equally focus on academics, research, community development, financial management and sector development. He expressed his desire that UVAS graduates should be highly skillful, well-trained and practically strong in their relevant fields to fulfill the requirements of market and international standards.

The participants suggested expending UVAS diagnostic facilities to other remote rural areas with establishment of collection centres for the facilitation of livestock farming community. Meanwhile, the UVAS in collaboration with Lahore Zoo organised a seminar on “Raptor Conservation and Falconry as Conservation and Biodiversity Tool”.

Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad chaired the inaugural session of the seminar while Dean Faculty of Biosciences Prof Dr Habib-ur-Rehman, Registrar Sajjad Haider and a number of participants were present. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Nasim said that such seminars were very necessary for networking with well-known experts and knowledge sharing with each other. He said UVAS have resources for imparting practical knowledge and skills for the capacity building of young veterinarian and wildlife professionals. Various aspects were discussed during seminar related to significance of falconry and identification of raptors of Pakistan, falconry as biodiversity and conservation tool and raptors rehabilitation, etc.