Prof Riaz Shah is Dean FVSC SKUAST-K

Srinagar, May 02: Prof Riaz Ahmad Shah Thursday assumed the charge of Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir.
A veteran scientist, known for his lead role in producing the world’s first Pashmina goat clone, ‘Noori’, Prof Shah was presently working as head of SKUAST-K’s Livestock Research Institute (MLRI), Mansbal. As per the university order No 258 (Est.) of 2025, he will also continue to look after the MLRI.
Dr Shah did PhD in Animal Biotechnology from the reputed National Dairy Research Institute Karnal (NDRI), Haryana in 2008. Having specialisation in ‘Animal Cloning & Gene Editing Technology’, he has played key role in producing world’s first buffalo clone at NDRI Karnal.
Dr Shah, a fellow of the country’s premier National Academy of Veterinary Science, has received numerous awards, grants and fellowships from national and international organizations & funding agencies. He has more than 100 research publications in high impact national and international journals. He has attracted a dozen of high value externally funded research projects on priority areas of animal biotechnology. He has also guided more than a dozen masters and doctoral students in the discipline of Animal Biotechnology. Dr Shah is a visiting scientist and consultant to Animal Production Department, King Saud University, Riyadh Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Animal Reproductive Technologies.
He has also delivered expert talks in the country top-notch institutions including the one in last year at the prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration Dehradun which is a Civil Service Training Institute for IAS Cadre on Public Policy and Public Administration.
Dr Shah is the first Alumni of this University who has been entrusted with the responsibility of heading the country’s top-ranking Veterinary Institute, that is known nationally and globally for producing the leaders in veterinary/animal sciences. He was warmly welcomed by the Veterinary Faculty in presence of Vice-Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, officers of the University and the outgoing Dean Prof SA Kamil.
Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, while congratulating Dr Shah for his assuming the Charge as Dean of the Faculty, expressed his confidence that he will deliver to his best and will take along all stakeholders for redefining the veterinary education in the country that’s globally aligned and locally relevant.
While assuming the charge, Dr Shah said his priority will be to strengthen the academics, research, outreach and innovation with the support from teaching and non-teaching staff of the Faculty and the university administration.