Dr. Christopher Gibbins Consul General of Canada at Chandigarh visited Guru Angad Dev Veterinary And Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana. He met and interacted with Dr Amarjit Singh Nanda, Vice-Chancellor of the Vet Varsity. Both the personalities discussed research projects between Canadian Institutes and GADVASU. Dr. Nanda informed Dr Gibbins that vet varsity has a strong linkage with University of Saskatchewan, Canada. Exchange of large number of scientists and students between GADVASU and Saskatchewan has already taken place. A very significant students exchange programme CREATE, an International Training Program in Infectious diseases, Food safety and Public Policy between both Universities is going on. Dr Nanda informed the Consul General that GADVASU has organised two winter school and four International conferences and workshops in collaborations with University of Saskatchewan and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in which thirty scientists and students from Canada have already visited GADVASU for hands on training and interaction with scientists and students. He said that a Couple of days ago a MoU was also signed between GADVASU, Polar Genetics Canada and Piggery Farmers of Punjab for cooperation and commitment in promoting pig production through genetic upgradation and appropriate management interventions. A very significant number of veterinary graduates from GADVASU are serving in CFIA and large number of veterinarians has been settled down in Canada as veterinary practitioners he added.
Dr. Gibbins was accompanied by Mr Gurbans Sobti, Trade Commissioner, Consul General of Canada. Dr Gibbins expressed his interest in the ongoing research projects in vet varsity and said that further collaborative research projects between various institutes of Canada and vet varsity will take on priority. He emphasised on need for greater collaboration of student exchange programmes in clinical internship of veterinary graduates and research on Climate change mitigation strategies. Dr Nanda explained that GADVASU’s strength in the field of animal disease diagnostics can help in strengthening collaboration for developing diagnostics and vaccines for emerging and re-emerging diseases.
He also visited University Animal Hospital, College of Fisheries and Dairy Farm Complex. He showed a lot of interest in activities undertaken by institute. Dr. Nanda also presented him a set of publications of GADVASU. Dr SNS Randhawa, Director Research, Dr Sushil Prabhakar Registrar, Dr Simrat Sagar Singh Dean PGS and Dr JPS GILL Coordinator Research were also present in meeting and shared their view to strengthen collaborative research programs.
