The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore arranged an orientation program for the newly-admitted undergraduate students in the university auditorium on Saturday. Chairing the orientation program, vice-chancellor Professor Dr Talat Naseer Pasha congratulated the new students on getting admission and told them that they had very wisely chosen the university which was second to none in its academic, research and extension services in the country.
He said that the UVAS was a national university as its academic programs were open on all-Pakistan basis. He said that there was diversity in the university as its students came from all the four provinces, Fata, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir. He told the students that they were lucky to be part of the UVAS as now they could avail many opportunities in the fast growing livestock sector. He said that livestock's share in the agriculture GDP was 55 per cent and it had still tremendous potential to grow.
The vice-chancellor said the UVAS had five faculties, over 20 departments and five campuses -two in Lahore and one each at Pattoki, Jhang and Layyah. The university had over 5,000 students and many faculty members, majority of them were PhDs. Besides academic and research programs, the UVAS had always been among the top universities of the country in extra-curricular activities. He cited the recent example of UVAS students' winning the All Pakistan drama competition. The university had also developed strong linkages with national and international institutions and livestock-related industry, he added.
The vice-chancellor told the students to make the maximum use of facilities on the campus, focus on their studies and strictly abide by the university discipline. Dean Veterinary Science Professor Dr Nasim Ahmed, Dean Animal Production and Technology Professor Dr Muhammad Abdullah, Dean Fisheries and Wildlife Professor Dr Muhammad Akram, Dean Livestock and Business Management Professor Dr Habib-ur-Rehman and Acting Dean Biosciences Professor Dr Muhammad Asharf briefed the students on the facilities and working of their respective faculties while Director Students Affair Dr Athar Mehmood, Senior Tutor Professor Dr Tahir Yaqub, Principal Officer Students Affairs Professor Dr Arif Khan and Hostel Warden Dr Matiur Rehman also spoke about their respective departments. Later the students were taken to various departments, laboratories and the university library to familiarise them with the campus environment and facilities.