LAHORE: The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) syndicate approved on Tuesday Rs3.295 billion budget for the financial year 2019-20 with focus on innovation, research, development, improving facilities for quality of education, services and transfer of technology.

UVAS Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha chaired the 59th syndicate meeting.

He said they were focusing on applied research and development projects for improving the quality of education, research and services at the university.

He said the value of the ongoing 144 research projects was Rs1.454 billion, while Rs1.545 billion were allocated for development projects.

Of the development allocation, Rs1.152 billion will be spent on the ongoing projects and Rs393 million on new projects.

Work on the livestock sector development through capacity building, allied research and technology transfer will begin and Rs300 million have been allocated for it. The Higher Education Commission would fund this project.

The Punjab government will provide Rs20 million for a feasibility study for the establishment of center for advanced reproductive technology in livestock and another Rs73 million for provision of urgently needed male and female hostel facilities at the university.

Up to Rs350 million will be spent on ongoing research facilities at Ravi Campus in Pattoki and Rs658.262 million for the establishment of University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Bahawalpur, Rs 62.780 million for establishment of training centre for biologics at the UVAS Ravi Campus, Pattoki, and Rs81.038 million for in service training facilities of advanced veterinary education and professional development for veterinary professionals.

UVAS Treasurer Muhammad Umar said the university expected non-development income of Rs1.634 billion from different sources in the year (2019-20) while non-development expenditure was expected at Rs1.750 billion, so there was a deficit of Rs115.849 million.

The vice-chancellor said the university would generate Rs914.061 million from its own resources and they would try to meet the budget deficit by generating more income from its own resources, by increasing its research-based products and diagnostic and clinical services for stakeholders.

He said they would also adopt austerity measures to limit the recurring expenditure within available funds.

Earlier, the vice-chancellor briefed the syndicate members on various academic, research training, workshops, university development projects and scientific cooperation with Italian experts for safe milk production etc.

Prof Pasha presented souvenir to syndicate members who completed theirs tenure. They were Abdul Basit, Prof Dr Kausar Jamal Cheema, Prof Dr Kosar Malik and Amna Chughtai.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd , 2019