LAHORE: The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) and Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) China have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance scientific, educational and institutional linkages.

UVAS Director External Linkages/ Chairman Department of Parasitology Prof Dr Kamran Ashraf and Huazhong Agricultural University Vice President Prof Zhou Chengzao signed the MoU at a ceremony held in Syndicate Room, City Campus, on Sunday.

UVAS Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha, UVAS Pro VC Prof Dr Masood Rabbani and the Chinese delegation led by Prof Zhou Chengzao were present.

Both educational institutes would collaborate in various programs of education, research, extension and business development and technology transfer. The varsities would exchange teachers, researchers and students and also provide some scholarships.

They would develop collaborative projects on education, researches and agriculture extension.

Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha said the university was working with the Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development Department, poultry and dairy industry and was also playing an active role for the development of livestock sector to ensure safe and quality meat reaching the consumers.

He said the Punjab government had established the Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur (CUVAS) for development of livestock in south Punjab. He said there were a number of opportunities in livestock/ agriculture in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and they should get maximum benefit from it.

Prof Zhou Chengzao thanked the UVAS for providing full support and cooperation.

Earlier, Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Masood Rabbani briefed the Chinese delegation on the UVAS academic, research, extension, dairy advisory services, disease diagnostic facilities, development projects, vaccine production, various training programmes, national and international linkages.

He informed the delegation about the UVAS ranking among the top universities in Times Higher Education and QS World Top University Rankings.

Later, the HZAU China Alumni Association of Pakistan ceremony was also held at the UVAS in which 50 Pakistani students who completed their PhDs were present. They also elected new alumni association members for 2018-19.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2018