The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore (UVAS) and the Brooke Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on general equine veterinary training and demonstration on issues related to working equine welfare, OIE standards, preventative measures, one health and evidence generation regarding equine welfare and zoonotic problems, anti-microbial resistance.
Vice Chancellor Meritorious Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha (SI) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Muhammad Farooq Malik signed the MoU in a ceremony held at City Campus while Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Masood Rabbani, Prof Dr Aneela Zameer Durrani, Jawaid Gondal Programme Manger Brooke Pakistan, UVAS faculty member and officials from Brooke were present in .
Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha spoke on the occasion that animals are the source of livelihood of poor livestock farming community and this MoU is very important not only for animal welfare even for the beneficial of poor farming community.
He said UVAS have disease diagnostics state-of-the-art laboratories facilities and through this collaboration both parties will be working together and identified the areas of research even shared their knowledge and experience with each other.
Prof Dr Aneela Zameer Durrani spoke about the objectives of the MoU. She said that aim of this agreement was to impart practical training of students regarding treatment of equine, community development and animal welfare along with curriculum development in the same areas.
Jawaid Gondal highlighted recent activities with reference to community development, animal welfare, policy and legal reforms in the light of SDG`s.
According to the MoU, Brooke will provide its expertise related to equine handling and behavior expertise, animal welfare science, pain recognition, adult learning techniques-especially practical/clinical skills and approach to animal health mentoring.
Brooke will provide professional development training for staff and students, review curriculum for equine health and welfare topics. Brooke will also facilitate regarding inter-professional working with para-vets, possible internship opportunities, joint research projects for students as per Brooke policy and would participates in events like world animal day, veterinary day exhibition and first-aid camps for equines at animal fairs at UVAS. Both parties will conduct one health symposium and awareness campaign among community and identify veterinary issues.
The University will facilitate in arranging meetings, seminars, trainings and workshops etc. UVAS will adopt OIE standards equine welfare chapter as a part of syllabus and Brooke equine veterinary manual as reference book. UVAS will also adopt animal health mentoring framework (AHMF) and farriery mentoring frame work (FMF) as clinical competency skills improvement tools in practical classes held at Department Clinical Medicine Surgery (CMS).