Education Adviser to the interim government, Professor Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar said that veterinary education and research is emerging as an important platform for innovation, cooperation and exchange of experience in Bangladesh and around the world. CVASU is now playing an important role in the country's economic growth in this sector by developing new technologies, modern technical knowledge and producing skilled graduates.
The Education Adviser said these things while addressing the opening ceremony of the 17th International Scientific Conference online at the Auditorium Hall of Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU) on Sunday afternoon.
He said, the challenges we face cannot be solved by one discipline or sector alone. Veterinarians, food scientists, fisheries experts, biotechnologists and policymakers need to work together to tackle climate change, emerging diseases and environmental damage.
Education Adviser said that CVASU is not only producing skilled veterinarians, but also working to meet the demand for safe and nutritious food. It is playing an important role in the development of blue economy, marine resource utilization and sustainable aquaculture technology.
He said that CVASU has now truly become a center of excellence. It is no longer just an academic institution, but has become a center of innovation, applied research and close partnership with industry.
Adviser said that if we look at the history of veterinary education in Bangladesh, it can be seen that there have been huge changes in this sector in the last two decades. Since 1999, the country's livestock and poultry sector has made remarkable progress. Once limited to family farming, this sector has now become a large industry, which is attracting local and international investors.
CVASU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Lutfur Rahman presided over the function. Sylhet Agricultural University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Alimul Islam and State University of Bangladesh Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Akhtar Hossain Khan.
The keynote address was presented by Dr. Alasdair Alex J. Cook, a renowned veterinary epidemiologist and Emeritus Professor of the UK. The welcome address was delivered by the conference convener and Director of Sivasu One Health Institute, Professor Dr. Md. Ahsanul Haque. At the end, the poster presentation and exhibition stall were inaugurated by Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Lutfur Rahman.
More than 500 researchers from various universities and research institutions in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Thailand and the UK are participating in this scientific conference. 160 research papers will be presented in the three-day conference. Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar will be present as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the conference on Tuesday.
