Dr. Shukriti Sharma, Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana was invited by Australian High Commission to the launch event of New Colombo Plan. The New Colombo Plan was launched by Prime Minister of Australia Mr. Tony Abott MP at University of Mumbai during his recent visit to India. The New Colombo Plan is an initiative of Australian Government to lift knowledge of Australian students about the Indo-Pacific
region including India by studying and undertaking internships in these countries. Dr. Sharma as Australia Awards Ambassador was the special invitee for the occasion. Dr. Sharma is recipient of prestigious Australian Leadership Award-2008 and has pursued his PhD in Veterinary Science at the University of Melbourne. On his return to India, Dr. Sharma was appointed ‘Australian Awards Ambassador’ by Australian High Commissioner to India, H E Patrick Suckling to promote Australian Awards in esteemed institutions of the country. Recently, a team comprising of Mr. Colin Reynolds and Mr. Michael Sadlon Regional Coordinator of Australia Awards for South Asia had visited GADVASU to focus on achievements of Dr. Sharma. The purpose of their visit was to showcase the benefits of Australian Awards in the development of countries of Indo-Pacific region. Dr. S.N.S. Randhawa, Director of Research apprised them of various research schemes of the University. Dr. Shukriti Sharma along with faculty members of Department of Veterinary Extension accompanied Australia Awards team to various dairy farms of state and held discussions regarding knowledge dissemination pattern adopted by GADVASU. Team highly appreciated the modus operandi of extension services provided by University to the farmers of state. The team visited the Department of Veterinary Medicine and were influenced by large number of cases presented to Teaching Veterinary Hospital of institute. They made elaborative discussions with faculty members of Veterinary Medicine department and propounded that more linkages under New Colombo Plan between Australian institutions and Indian institutions like GADVASU will be helpful as Australian students can practically examine the clinical cases of infectious diseases that are exotic to Australia.
