LAHORE (30-05-24): The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore signed a memorandum of understanding with Nestle Pakistan Limited (NPL) for research collaboration in product innovation, reproductive biotechnology to improve dairy farms economics, livestock health & dairy animal breeding etc.
UVAS Vice-Chancellor Meritorious Prof Dr Muhammad Younus (DLA.I, T.I) and Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director Nestle Pakistan Mr Jason Avancena signed the MoU in a ceremony held at City Campus. Dean Faculty of Veterinary Science Prof Dr Aneela Zameer Durrani, Chairman Department of Parasitology Prof Dr Kamran Ashraf, Head of Technical Nestle Mr Faisal Nadeem, Head of Corporate Affairs Nestlé Mr Waqar Ahmad Sheikh and a number of senior UVAS faculty members from Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition and Theriogenology Department, officials from Nestle Pakistan attended the ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Muhammad Younus said that this cooperation will be beneficial for both organizations especially for the uplift of dairy sector as well as for farming community to boost profitability and improve their productivity.
Mr Jason Avancena emphasized on addressing climate change issues and focused on solution based research projects. He praised UVAS contribution to the development of livestock sector in Pakistan and urged establishing academia & industry partnership to boost livestock sector in country. During visit for the promotion of greenery in City Campus Mr Jason planted a sapling. Later Mr Jason Avancena visited different section of UVAS Pet center along with Prof Dr Muhammad Younus.
Prof Dr Aneela Zameer Durrani said it is direly needed to work on livestock policy for the uplift of livestock sector in Pakistan. She said UVAS is actively focusing on the updating of curriculum according to the modern day need. Mr Faisal Nadeem talked about sustainability in dairy value chain.
Under the MoU, UVAS will help Nestle in product innovation, evaluation and sensory calibration and in qualitative & quantitative analysis. Both organizations will jointly work on research & development projects in the areas of livestock farming, reproduction, farm management and dairy production. Both parties will use In Vitro Fertilization Technology in dairy cows to enhance milk production, sustainability and profitability of dairy farmers. Nestle Pakistan will provide a support in conducting training sessions regarding health monitoring, proper animal handling techniques and developing training materials to ensure quality training programmes. Nestle with collaboration of UVAS Department of Dairy Technology for dairy farmers training to improve milking techniques, enhance milk quality through better hygiene and storage practices. Nestle will collaborate with UVAS Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition (FSHN) in organizing camps & workshop to promote nutrition awareness and conducting dietary assessment. Nestle Pakistan will also provide internship opportunities to FSHN students of UVAS, etc.
