The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), an institution recognized among the top universities globally for its subject specialization, conferred degrees upon 1,750 graduates during its 16th Convocation on Thursday, while underscoring its role in national development through significant research and infrastructure projects.
The ceremony was presided over by Punjab”s Minister for Law, Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan, and attended by Member Provincial Assembly Ms. Shagufta Faisal, Secretary Livestock and Dairy Development Mr. Ahmad Aziz Tarar, and UVAS ViceChancellor Meritorious Prof Dr Muhammad Younus, alongside faculty and industry representatives.
A total of 63 highachieving students were awarded medals for their academic excellence. The graduating cohort comprised 55 PhDs, 436 MPhils, 357 Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), 734 BS (Hons), 102 PharmD, and 66 BBA (Hons) scholars.
In his address, Minister Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan congratulated the graduates and their families, urging the new degreeholders to serve the nation with dedication. He remarked that hard work is the fundamental key to success and described the graduates as a vital asset to the country, acknowledging the sacrifices made by their parents.
The minister also highlighted Pakistan’s agricultural assets, including its Nili Ravi buffalo and Sahiwal cows, and lauded the university”s progress under the stewardship of its ViceChancellor.
Mr. Ahmad Aziz Tarar also offered his congratulations to the students, attributing their successful degree completion to their persistent hard work.
In his welcome address, ViceChancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Younus detailed the university”s international standing, citing its position in the 601800 bracket of the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. He noted that in the THE Interdisciplinary Science Rankings, UVAS is ranked first among Punjab”s public universities and 155th globally.
Prof Younus further stated that the institution is placed between 51100 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (Veterinary Science). The university currently offers 79 degree programs to an enrollment of approximately 11,000 students from across Pakistan and abroad.
Highlighting UVAS”s research focus, the ViceChancellor reported that the faculty is currently executing 52 research projects valued at over Rs 411.367 million. Key initiatives include the development of vaccines for FMD and lumpy skin disease, research into alternatives to antibiotics in poultry, and advancements in livestock reproduction using IVF technology.
The university is managing development projects worth more than Rs 3.589 billion, including a new Rs 1.465 billion campus in Pattoki sponsored by the Higher Education Commission. To facilitate its student body, UVAS awarded 1,946 need and meritbased scholarships amounting to over Rs 129.15 million during the last fiscal year.
Prof Younus concluded by encouraging the graduates to embrace entrepreneurship and focus on becoming job providers rather than job seekers.