Srinagar, April 25: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Kashmir organised a series of functions to commemorate World Veterinary Day at the Shuhama campus.

The event was organised by the university’s Faculty of Veterinary Sciences (FVSc) in collaboration with the World Bank-ICAR funded National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP) for the institutional development of SKUAST-K.

The World Veterinary Day is commemorated on the fourth Saturday of April every year to

highlight the contribution of veterinarians towards humankind. This year’s theme for the day was ‘Veterinarians Response to COVID19 Crises’.

At the FVSc Shuhama campus, the day marked the culmination of month-long celebrations during which a series of online and offline programmes were organised. These included plantation drives, cultural programmes, sports festival, school outreach programmes, National Science Day, One health Hackathon on National Health Day, Farmer’s outreach programmes, Farmer’s Exposure Visits, School Outreach Programmes and Online Student’s Contests like Debates, Essay and Slogan writing, Photography, Poster making etc. 

A webinar series was also organised in which various national and international speakers highlighted the role of Veterinary Sciences in light of COVID19 Pandemic. The speakers included Dr Sarrah Othaman and Dr Noor-ul Fiza Mat Isa from Putra University Malaysia, Dr Aneela Durrani, Dr Mahesh Chander, Dr BR Singh and Dr DB Mondal from Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Barielly, Dr Prakash Reddy from Ventri-biologicals, Dr B R Gulati from National Research Center for Equines, Hissar,  Dr Sunil B from Kerela Veterinary University and Dr M Maroof Shah from Deptt of Sheep Husbandry Kashmir.

At Saturday’s event, Dean Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, SKUAST-Kashmir, Prof MA Pal led a Rally from Students’ Facility Centre to Faculty building, where the World Veterinary Association flag was unfurled and University Tarana was played. Prof ZA Pampori, Organising Secretary World Veterinary Day-2021 delivered the theme address and Dean, FVSc highlighted the achievements of the Faculty in Academics, Research and Extension. Prof NA Ganai, Director Planning and Monitoring, and PI NAHEP, SKUAST-K in his address that he delivered in virtual mode lauded the contribution of university scientists. He urged for international collaborations in research and education, updation of curriculum and effective societal outreach.

On side-lines of the programmes, a COVID19 vaccination drive was organised by Chief Medical Officer Ganderbal, at Faculty Health Centre in which a number of the Faculty staff members received their first dose of Covishield Vaccine. All the events were held strictly as per the COVID19 SOPs.