A delegation from the United States of America (USA) led by Mr Casey E Bean, Agricultural Counselor, US Embassy Islamabad, visited the Ravi Campus of University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) at Pattoki.
Other members of the delegation were Dr Martin Sieber, President/CEO, US Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. USA, and Mr Asmat Raza, Senior Agricultural Specialist, US Embassy.
Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Masood Rabbani briefed the delegation on UVAS academic, research, training and extension activities/services for the development of livestock, poultry, dairy and related sectors in Pakistan.
The delegation members were also shown a documentary showcasing the infrastructure development, education and research activities of the university. Emeritus Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad and Dean Faculty of Animal Production and Technology Prof Dr Anjum Khalique were also present on the occasion.
The delegation visited different departments at A-Block, including Milk Plant, clinics, Vaccine Production Unit, library and Central Laboratory Complex (CLC) comprising Animal Nutrition Lab, Diagnostic Lab, Genetics and Genomics Lab, Feed Chemistry Lab, Meat Technology Lab, Feed Hygiene and Safety Lab and In-vitro Embryo Production Lab, where they were briefed on the functioning, researches, food & feed analysis and services for poultry, dairy and feed industries.
All the delegation members also planted saplings in front of Prof Akram Complex at A-Block. Later they visited the Dairy Training and Research Center at B-Block where they took keen interest in Holstein Friesian cows imported from the United States of America by the UVAS for the training of its students and professionals.
Mr Casey E Bean appreciated the state-of-the-art labs, clinics, cattle farms and other facilities at Ravi Campus.
He said that Pakistan is protein-providing nation and emphasized on the use of latest technology for enhancing agricultural yield and genetics improvement for increase in livestock productivity.