Lahore: Secretary Livestock and Dairy Development Department Punjab, Mr. Saqib Ali Ateel, visited the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) in Lahore, where he inaugurated a digitalization project for the internship management system alongside other initiatives aimed at boosting the livestock sector.

According to University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, the visit on Wednesday saw discussions with UVAS Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr. Muhammad Younus, and other senior faculty members and officials. The discussions emphasized the critical role of the livestock sector in the national economy, highlighting the need for innovative approaches to address challenges such as climate change, disease control, and technological integration.

Mr. Ateel outlined several priority areas including enhancing exports, eradicating diseases like foot and mouth disease, and developing quality vaccines. He underscored the importance of UVAS’s contributions through research and training in tackling these sector challenges.

The meeting also touched on the recent advancements at UVAS, including updates to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) curriculum and research into dairy animal reproduction using in-vitro fertilization technology. Prof Dr. Aneela Zameer Durrani highlighted the necessity of working on new antibiotics and developing policies for animal welfare.

The new digital systems inaugurated by the Secretary and Prof Dr. Muhammad Younus aim to enhance the educational and operational capacities of UVAS, with the internship management system expected to streamline processes and improve the training experience for students.

The visit concluded with a tour of the UVAS City Campus facilities, including the Veterinary Academy and the Bio-Safety Level 3 (BSL-3) Lab. Mr. Ateel also participated in a tree-planting ceremony, symbolizing the commitment to sustainability and environmental consciousness at UVAS.