SRINAGAR: In a move that cements Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies of Kashmir’s status as a premier research institution, the varsity’s Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry Shuhama, has been formally inducted into the Indian Council of Agricultural Research’s National Centre for Veterinary Type Culture (ICAR-NCVTC) network.
The prestigious national recognition designates the Veterinary Faculty Shuhama as a specialized repository unit for Mycoplasma cultures, positioning SKUAST-K at the forefront of national efforts to combat economically important livestock diseases.
The inclusion was formalised during the XIVth Annual Review Meeting of the ICAR–NCVTC Network Project held at the NASC Complex, New Delhi.
The meeting was chaired by Dr Raghavendra Bhatta, Deputy Director General, Animal Science, ICAR, and attended by Dr Divakar Hemadri, ADG, Animal Health; Dr TK Bhattacharya, Director, ICAR-NRCE; and Dr RK Vaid, Head of Division, NCVTC.
As a designated repository unit, the Mycoplasma Laboratory at Shuhama will play a vital role in the collection, identification and preservation of veterinary pathogens. The collaboration is set to significantly enhance the university’s research capacity and its contribution to national biosecurity.
Dr Mohammad Iqbal Yatoo, Associate Professor, Division Veterinary Clinical Medicine, has been designated as the Principal Investigator (PI) for the unit.
Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Kashmir, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, congratulated the veterinary scientists particularly Dr Yatoo, for their dedicated efforts.
“The development is a matter of great pride for SKUAST-Kashmir,” Prof Ganai stated. “Our inclusion in the ICAR–NCVTC network is a testament to the growing research excellence and national relevance of our university. It reinforces our commitment to addressing critical challenges in animal health at a national and global level”, he added.
