STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The 41st Annual Conference of the Indian Association of Veterinary Pathologists (IAVP) and the 15th Annual Meeting of the Indian College of Veterinary Pathologists (ICVP), along with a National Symposium on “Exploring Veterinary Pathology and Diagnostic Innovations in Animal and Poultry Disease Amidst Climatic Challenges,” began on Thursday at SKUAST-Jammu.
The event, organized by the Division of Veterinary Pathology at SKUAST-Jammu, IAVP, and ICVP, will run for three days.
The inaugural session saw the presence of distinguished guests, including Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Chairman of the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), who was the Chief Guest, Dr. Naveen Kumar, Director of ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune, as Guest of Honour, and Prof. B.N. Tripathi, Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-Jammu.
In his address, Dr. Sanjay Kumar emphasized the importance of veterinary diagnostics in addressing challenges posed by climate change on livestock and poultry health. He highlighted the need for advancements in molecular diagnostics, artificial intelligence, and rapid point-of-care testing to ensure early disease detection and effective management. He also stressed the integration of traditional knowledge with new technologies for animal health management and encouraged students to apply for ASRB’s scientific positions in agriculture and allied sectors.
Prof. B.N. Tripathi, in his presidential address, underscored the crucial role of veterinary pathologists in diagnosing emerging diseases caused by climate change. He emphasized the importance of innovative diagnostic tools to mitigate the impact of these diseases on animal health, food security, and livelihoods. He also discussed the One Health concept in addressing zoonotic diseases and the growing need for collaboration to tackle new health challenges.
Dr. Naveen Kumar, Guest of Honour, highlighted the significance of multidisciplinary collaborations in addressing climate-induced disease challenges. He spoke about the establishment of four zonal centres for the National Institute of Virology and the National One Health Mission, aimed at improving disease detection and control using advanced technologies like genomics and data analytics.
The inaugural function also included the release of the conference compendium and books, along with awards recognizing outstanding contributions in veterinary pathology. A special felicitation was held to honor past presidents of IAVP and retired pathologists from J&K. Additionally, seven veterinary pathologists received certificates as ICVP diplomats, and SKUAST-Jammu signed MoUs with the National Institute of Virology and Biovet Pvt Ltd.
The conference has brought together over 300 delegates and will feature 9 technical sessions covering innovations in diagnostic tools, climate-related challenges, and strategies to combat emerging diseases. The event aims to foster collaboration and advance veterinary pathology in the face of global climate change.
