SRINAGAR, JUNE 06: A gathering of the nation’s top academic leaders, veterinary scientists, and policy architects commenced at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar campus marking the start of a two-day National Conclave dedicated entirely to reshaping the future of veterinary education in India.
Organised under the theme ‘Reimagining Veterinary Education for Viksit Bharat@2047’, the conclave serves as a platform for turning traditional, decades-old educational models into modern, innovation-led, and globally competitive frameworks.
The conclave is a quadripartite initiative of SKUAST-K with Bihar Animal Sciences University (BASU), Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), and the National Academy of Veterinary Sciences (NAVS), to deliberate on the future trajectory of veterinary education in India.
As a major milestone, the host institution set the tone for the event by officially unveiling the ‘SKUAST-K Action Framework for Reimagining Veterinary Education’. This strategic roadmap outlines immediate, transformative reforms across veterinary teaching, application-based research, technological competency, and public outreach – positioning veterinary professionals as vital drivers of the rural bio-economy, public health, and global trade corridors as India approaches 2047.
As part of the Quadripartite Vision Address, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, called for a decisive shift in mindset and urged institutions to challenge conventional approaches in order to transform the veterinary education in the country.
Prof Ganai, who was the chief guest at the inaugural address, emphasised that the future of veterinary education would be shaped by skilled human resources, technological integration, and innovation-oriented learning ecosystems, adding that agriculture and animal husbandry would remain central to realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
Dr Rameshwar Singh, former Vice Chancellor, BASU Patna; Dr JPS Gill, Vice Chancellor, GADVASU Ludhiana; Dr Inderjeet Singh, Vice Chancellor, BASU Patna; collectively highlighted the urgent need for curriculum reforms, global collaborations, and innovation-led institutional ecosystems.
Dr Victoria Brookes, Co-Lead, One Health SIG, Sydney University, Australia, who delivered an online address, emphasised the growing importance of application-based research, professionalism, interdisciplinary learning, and globally aligned academic frameworks in veterinary sciences.
Dr Riaz Ahmad Shah, Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, who delivered the welcome address, underlined the significance of collaborative academic reform and innovation-driven learning in shaping the next generation of veterinary professionals.
Organizing Secretary of the conclave, Dr Aijaz Ahmad Dar, presented the overarching vision and proposed models for reimagining veterinary education in India.
The technical session on “Gaps in Veterinary Education & Vision 2047” subsequently featured expert talks by Dr. Bhanu Pratap Chowdhary, Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M University, USA; Dr. Punniya Murthy, 2026 Padma Shri awardee and renowned expert in Ethno-Veterinary Medicine, and Maj Gen Pramod Batra of Tata Trusts, Mumbai, each offering critical insights into the evolving global landscape of veterinary education and practice.
The conclave also featured an intensive brainstorming session involving detailed deliberations on reforms required in veterinary education, with presentations by Dr Azmat Alam Khan, Registrar, SKUAST-K, and Dr. Pallav Shekhar, Dean, BASU Patna.
A panel discussion on ‘Industry-Academia Synergy: Addressing the Skill Gap and Industry Expectations from Veterinary Graduates’ was moderated by Dr Masood Saleem Mir, Associate Director Extension, SKUAST-K. The Conclave also witnessed the signing of an MoU between SKUAST-K and Agrinnovate, marking another significant step towards strengthening institutional-industry collaboration.
