Fisheries sector: Chinese experts, UVAS faculty discuss joint ventures

LAHORE: A four-member delegation from China visited the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore, on Sunday to discuss progress on collaborative projects in the fisheries sector.

The delegation from the Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute (PRFRI), Guangzhou, China, met UVAS Vice Chancellor Dr Talat Naseer Pasha and other senior professors.  They discussed possibilities of intensive fish culture, site requirements, feasibility studies, investigation of local turtle resources and possible locations for turtle culture and future planning.

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The VC briefed the delegation on academic research and training programmes the UVAS had conducted. He said the university was focusing on problem-oriented applied research. He said the UVAS faculty was working on 64 research projects costing Rs734 million through national and international funding agencies. He said the UVAS wanted to continue to collaborate with the Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute and benefit from its expertise. He said that the UVAS had taken many academic and research initiatives for the development of the fisheries sector. He said it was moving towards an intensive culture system for fish and was encouraging private investment in the sector.

The delegation from China included PRFRI Director General Liu Yingjie, Dr Xinping Zhu, Scientific Office Director Cunbin Shi and Researcher Ms Xi Yan. Dean of Faculty of Fisheries and Wildlife Prof Muhammad Ashraf, Dean of Veterinary Science Prof Khushi Muhammad, Dean of Biosciences Prof Habibur Rehman, Microbiology Department Chairman Prof Masood Rabbani, Oric Director Prof Mansur Din and Dr Noor Khan were also present.

Last year, the UVAS had signed an MoU with the Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute for academic exchange, research cooperation, and joint work on sustainable utilisation and management of fisheries resources, fisheries eco-environment protection and aquatic product quality and safety, semi-intensive and intensive fish farming, aquatic germ-plasm resources and genetic breeding, high-yield techniques of fish farming and nutrition research on floating and sinking feeds for fish and shrimp, turtle farming, fish seed hatching, and fish farm management. The UVAS and Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute are also working on fish disease diagnosis and control.

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A delegation of professors from the UVAS will visit China to discuss future collaborations. Two UVAS faculty members are scheduled to go to China early next year for post-doctoral training under the project. Both institutions have agreed to exchange students for academic and training programmes.

Training planned

The Fisheries Research and Training Institute in Manawan, Lahore, will hold a three-day training course “Prosperity through Fish Farming” from July 29 to July 31. The idea is to create awareness regarding scientific techniques for aquaculture/fish farming. The training will also include information regarding soil and water analysis.

Those interested can register for the course on July 29 at the office of the director of Fisheries Research and Training Institute on Wahga Road, Opposite Manawan Police Station. Hostel facility for participants will be available free of cost.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2015.