The First Annual Function of the Alumni Association of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore was held on November 22-24. Prof Dr. Sayed M. Sayedain Jaffery, the first veterinary graduate of Pakistan, was chief guest on the occasion. Alumni from across the country as well as from abroad participated in the function.

Former Secretary Livestock Akhlaq Ahmad Tarrar, who is now director general LDA, was conferred honorary membership of the Alumni Association in recognition of his services rendered in the establishment of the university. Life-time achievement awards were distributed among the alumni of eminence, including three Vice-Chancellors of various universities, three Major Generals, Chief Technical Advisors in international agencies and international sportsmen.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the function, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Manzoor Ahmad said that organisation of research programmes on sound scientific lines was a priority of the University, so special attention was being paid to establishment of new state-of-the-art research laboratories and further equipping the existing ones on modern lines so as to meet the international standards.

“The university has won five research projects of Rs 16.17 million while its seven PhD students have won indigenous PhD scholarships, two obtained PhD foreign scholarships and its three teachers are availing post-doctoral fellowships,” said the Vice-Chancellor. He said six development projects worth Rs 261.28 million of the university were in progress to provide latest academic and research facilities to students and teachers on the campus. “While the university has already submitted another six development projects of Rs 822.44 million to the Higher Education Commission for approval for the year 2005-06 and more uplift projects of Rs 3 billion were being prepared as part of master plan/future vision of the UVAS,” he added.

The VC said securing funds to cover deficient non-development budget; diploma/certificate and short training and refresher courses, linkages with animal farming communities, industries and other stake holders and liaisons with national and international universities/institutions had been other focus areas of the university.

He said that an enabling academic and research environment prevailed on the campus as all types of political interferences from among the staff and students had been eliminated immediately after the establishment of the university in the year 2002. Curricula of all subjects offered in the university had been updated according to modern needs while revision of courses was a continuous process, he added.

Chief guest Prof Dr Sayed M Sayedain Jaffery said that the university had seen a visible change in a short span of two years since its upgradation. “There is a visible change. The change is outstanding, rather it is remarkable,” he observed.

Prof Jaffri said the Veterinary Profession, which was considered a lower profession in the past and people did not know it, has now become number one. He said, “I see this Alumni Association as a body where you and I try to channelise/combine our energies to contribute towards the betterment of the profession and this association.”

In the technical session chaired by Prof Dr Bashir A Sheikh, Vice-Chancellor, Sindh Agricultural University Tandojam, and co-chaired by Prof Dr M Akram Muneer, Dr Haleem-ul-Hasnain presented a paper on ‘Status of Livestock Sector in Pakistan’, Dr Hassan Sarosh on ‘Status of Poultry Sector of Pakistan’ and Dr Abdul Hameed on ‘Meat Technology in Pakistan’. In the evening, sports contests were held between the guests and the university faculty members.

On the second day (23rd Nov 2004) of the function, a visit to the New Campus was arranged for the alumni. Also the same day, an 11-member delegation of professors and students from the College of Veterinary Sciences, Punjab Agriculture University Ludhiyana, India, reached the university to participate in the alumni function. The Indian professors led by Dean College of Veterinary Sciences Prof Dr M. S. Oberoi were welcomed by a team of UVAS professors at Wagha border on November 23.

The Indian guests attended the closing ceremony of the annual function. Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Manzoor Ahmad distributed mementoes among the visiting guests. Other foreign guests from America, Australia and Malaysia also attended the closing ceremony.

On the next day, the Indian professors and students visited various departments and clinics of the UVAS and took keen interest in the clinical and academic programmes of the university. Later, a presentation ceremony was arranged in the seminar room. UVAS Dean Veterinary Sciences Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akram Muneer and Dean College of Veterinary Sciences Ludhiyana India Prof Dr M. S. Oberoi gave presentations on the status of veterinary education at the institutions of their relevant countries.

On November 25, the UVAS arranged a tour of historical places of Lahore for the Indian guests. The next morning, the Indian guests left for home.