41st Annual Conference of the Indian Association of Veterinary Pathologists (IAVP) begins at SKUAST-Jammu
A three day 41st Annual Conference of the Indian Association of Veterinary Pathologists (IAVP) and the 15th Annual Meeting of the Indian College of Veterinary Pathologists (ICVP) and National symposium on “Exploring Veterinary Pathology and Diagnostic Innovations in Animal and Poultry Disease Amidst Climatic Challenges” begins today at SKUAST-Jammu. The conference is being organized by the Division of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, SKUAST-Jammu, Indian Association of Veterinary Pathologists and Indian College of Veterinary Pathologists.
Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Hon’ble Chairman, ASRB, New Delhi, Chief Guest, Dr. Naveen Kumar, Director, ICMR- National Institute of Virology, Pune, Guest of Honour and Prof. B.N. Tripathi, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu, were present at the inaugural function.
Delivering his address, the Chief Guest, Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Hon’ble Chairman of the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) highlighted the critical intersection of veterinary pathology and climate science in addressing the challenges faced by the livestock and poultry sectors. He emphasized that veterinary diagnostics must evolve to meet these challenges by embracing innovations such as molecular diagnostics, artificial intelligence, and rapid point-of-care testing. These advancements, he noted, are pivotal in ensuring early disease detection, accurate diagnoses, and effective management, which are essential for maintaining the productivity and welfare of animals and poultry. He urged veterinary pathologists to bridge science, policy, and practice, underscoring their pivotal role in safeguarding food security, economic stability, and environmental sustainability. Dr. Kumar motivated the students of SKUAST-Jammu to apply for ASRB’s scientific posts in agriculture and allied sectors. He also suggested for new courses like Veterinary engineering and Veterinary ecology in changing scenario. He congratulated University for getting a number of patents and also for initiating startup culture. He talked about ancient literature regarding treatment of horses and also mentioned about Mahabharat characters namely, Nakul and Sahdev’s role in treatment of horses and cattle respectively. Further, he elaborated the importance of conference topic of climate change and how animals are suffering because of change in climate. He also said that new technologies should take care of animal health along with traditional knowledge of farmers.
Prof. B.N. Tripathi, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor SKUAST Jammu in his presidential address said that the three-day event aims to bring together experts, academicians, and researchers to address emerging challenges in veterinary pathology and explore innovative solutions in the face of changing climatic conditions. He emphasized the vital role of veterinary pathology in safeguarding animal health and ensuring the sustainability of livestock production in an era marked by climate change. He remarked that climatic variations have significantly impacted disease patterns, leading to the emergence and re-emergence of various infectious diseases in animals and poultry. Veterinary pathologists, he said, are at the forefront of diagnosing these diseases, helping mitigate their impact on animal health, food security, and livelihoods. He highlighted that the theme aligns perfectly with the growing need to develop advanced diagnostic tools and techniques that address the complexities of disease management in changing climatic conditions. He urged participants to leverage this platform to foster collaborations and exchange innovative ideas, ultimately driving advancements in the field. He also talked about One-Health concept in mitigating the zoonotic diseases and also because of climate change, the emergence of new diseases.
In his insightful address, the Guest of Honour, Dr. Naveen Kumar, Director of ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune, lauded the conference’s theme for its timely focus on exploring diagnostic innovations and stressed the need for multidisciplinary research collaborations to tackle these challenges effectively. He informed the gathering that four Zonal centres of National Institute of Virology (NIV) will be established very soon. He also talked about PM’s prestigious ‘National One Health Mission’ and establishment of National Institute of One Health at Nagpur. Further, he said that recently, Vishanu Yudh Abhyas (Virus War Exercise) was conducted under National One Health Mission (NOHM). He pointed out that leveraging advancements in virology, genomics, and data analytics can revolutionize the detection and control of diseases, reducing the burden on farmers and the livestock industry. He encouraged the delegates to think beyond traditional boundaries. He expressed confidence that the discussions and outcomes of the conference would set a new benchmark in veterinary science and provide actionable insights for addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
Dr. S.K Gupta, Director Research, SKUAST-Jammu elaborated the research achievements of SKUAST-Jammu and mentioned that University has been granted 18 patents and have externally funded projects of worth Rs 200 crores.
Dr. G.A. Balasubramaniam, Secretary General, IAVP, and Dr. R.V.S. Pawaiya, Secretary, ICVP, presented reports on the activities and achievements of their respective organizations.
At the outset, Dr. Rajesh Katoch, Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, SKUAST-J, and Co-Chairman of VPC-2024, welcomed the dignitaries and delegates. He provided a brief overview of the conference and highlighted the contributions of SKUAST-Jammu in advancing veterinary science.
During the inaugural session, conference Compendium and books were released by the honoured guests and awards to recognize outstanding contributions in the field of veterinary pathology. A special felicitation was held to honor past presidents of IAVP and retired pathologists from the J&K. Seven Veterinary Pathologists were awarded Certificate for ICVP diplomats. SKUAST-Jammu also signed MoU with National Institute of Virology, Pune and Biovet Pvt Ltd. Karnataka.
The conference, which has brought together over three hundred delegates from across India, will feature 9 technical sessions, including keynote lectures, lead papers, oral presentations, and poster sessions. Sessions will focus on innovations in diagnostic tools and techniques, climate-related challenges, and strategies to mitigate the impact of emerging diseases.
Statutory officers of the University, staff members, students, delegates and media personnel were present on the occasion. Proceedings of the inaugural program were conducted by Dr. Ankur Sharma while vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Pankaj Goswami, Organizing Secretary, VPC 2024.
