University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) can collaborate in the education sector and have planed to launch masters' programme in food safety and security. UNIDO has planned to launch one-year diploma aimed at building indigenous (human and/or institutional) capacity to enhance the industrialisation process in Pakistan in a sustainable way.
This was stated by UNIDO Food Safety Management Consultant, Dr Ian Goulding who visited University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) and held a meeting with the Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr Muhammad Nawaz and other faculty members on Tuesday at the varsity's syndicate room. The three-member delegation included national expert in laboratory accreditation, Dr Ali Abbas Qazilbash and UNIDO chief environment section Dr Aurangzeb.
Talking to the delegation, Professor Dr Muhammad Nawaz said that it is regarded a good omen for the institution to expand its educational and research collaboration in the area of food security and food safety with UNIDO. He explained that there is a dire need to improve food quality standard, which is posing serious challenges to national export.
He explained the vibrant role of livestock sector, which is contributing approximately 53.4 percent of the agriculture value-added and 11.4 percent to national GDP. Despite a plethora of challenges, he informed that livestock industry is surprisingly growing by 4.1 percent and cattle population has grown by 65 million in 2009-10. UVAS-Vice Chancellor briefed the delegation about the development work at the varsity, saying in its quantum jump in research publication, it got 12th position among 82 public and private sector varsities. He said the institution is imparting quality veterinary education in Lahore for the last 129 years. He also said UVAS is playing an effective role in the leather, poultry, meat and dairy technology sectors.
He further said UVAS has developed research collaboration and signed 21 MoUs with many international institutions to upgrade standard of education. He said the varsity is making untiring efforts to provide quality education to its students.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ian Goulding said that "European Union is funding a co-operation programme with the Government of Pakistan on Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) to provide support in building necessary capacity to address trade related issues, thereby fostering its integration into world economy and contributing towards poverty alleviation".
Dr Ali Abbas Qazilbash said, "UNIDO is upgrading various measurements and testing laboratories oriented to export industries for international accreditation to ISO 17025 by providing equipment and training as well as fielding experts to assess, upgrade and conduct accreditation of these laboratories".