‘Veterinary education to be modernised, paid house jobs likely’

Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Dr Fehmida Mirza chaired a meeting to discuss issues relating to veterinary education. The other participants were vice-chancellors of public and private sector universities in Pakistan, the IPC federal secretary and senior officers of the ministry.

The existing state of affairs in veterinary education like accreditation of veterinary institutions, registration and other issues faced by students, updating curriculum, availability of senior faculty, training of doctors and livestock-related diseases were discussed.

Special focus was being given to enhance the potential to develop vaccines within the country for veterinary diseases especially foot and mouth disease (FMD). The minister said support and technical expertise could be availed from China to cater to this issue under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) umbrella.

Dr Mirza reiterated the government’s resolve to improve veterinary education by upgrading the curriculum and bring it to par with international standards. She said Pakistan was far behind in the latest technological developments in the veterinary and livestock sector.

She said the government was serious about enhancing the level of veterinary education and considering introducing paid house jobs for veterinary students. The IPC ministry she added would take up the matter with the provinces in this regard.

On the issues of mainstreaming of students belonging to unrecognized institutions, the minister highlighted the importance of providing timely relief to such students.

The minister asked the VCs to communicate their concerns and suggestions so that they can be added to the Inter-Provincial Coordination Committee (IPCC) meetings’ agenda for discussion.