Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 14: A delegation from North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA, comprising Dr Vivek Fellener, Professor, Department of Animal Science and Dr Kelly D Zering, Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, visited Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu.
The delegation expressed desire to foster partnerships between the institutions in various academic and research programmes through signing of MoU and framing need based collaborative research projects and human resource development programme.
An interaction meeting with the delegation was organized under the chairmanship of Dr Dilip K Arora, Vice Chancellor during which the Directors and Deans of the university presented in brief the human resource development and research activities in SKUAST-J. Deliberating on the occasion, Dr Dilip K Arora highlighted the impact of animal diseases prevalent in the region and informed that various pathogens are posing serious problem to livestock industry.
He emphasized the need to develop molecular diagnostic kits and vaccines against such pathogens using newer generation technology like peptide vaccines, edible vaccines, sub-unit vaccine, DNA vaccine and marker vaccines.
He further informed that inadequate nutrition is one of the factors that frequently limit the full utilization of the productive and reproductive potential of livestock in hills.
Dr D K Arora sought the help of North Carolina State University in strengthening these problematic researchable areas of the State.
Delegation visited School of Biotechnology and Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & A H, R S Pura and showed keen interest in the ongoing research programmes. Dr Jyoti Kachroo, Nodal officer, School of Agri-business briefed in detail the curricula and future programmes of the upcoming newly established School of Agri-business. Students and scientists of the university also interacted with the visiting scientists.