Page 8 - AWA Vol.42-No.6 issue

POULTRY INDIA

VETCONVERGENCE 2026 – 2nd edition of Vice

chancellors meets supported by IPEMA-Poultry India

Concludes Successfully: Hon’ble Shri Bandaru Dattatreya

Former Union Minister, Government of India and former highlighted the involvement of the female workforce in the
Governor of Himachal Pradesh, graced the conclave as poultry sector promoting inclusive growth.
Chief Guest.
The conclave featured impactful panel discussions cov-
VETCONVERGENCE 2026 brought together more than ering critical topics including reorienting veterinary re-
30 Vice-Chancellors to impact actionable roadmap for the search to demand-driven frameworks, entrepreneurship
sustainable growth of the livestock and poultry sectors. development and agri-business incubation, technology
commercialization and start-up promotion, priority re-
The 2nd Edition of the Vice-Chancellors’ Conclave – VET-
CONVERGENCE 2026, organized by Maharashtra Animal search areas for the poultry sector in the next decade,
and Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU), Nagpur and developing a collective roadmap with institutional com-
supported by Indian Poultry Equipment Manufacturers mitments, and applications of Artificial Intelligence in the
Association (IPEMA)–Poultry India, was successfully held livestock sector.
on 10th and 11th July 2026 at Hotel AVASA, Hyderabad. The following six impactful panel discussions were
conducted addressing critical priorities in veterinary re-
The two-day event brought together more than 30
Vice-Chancellors from veterinary universities across In- search, entrepreneurship, technology commercialisation;
dia, policymakers, scientists, academicians, and industry poultry sector needs, institutional collaboration, and AI
leaders under the theme “Aligning Livestock Research applications in the livestock sector.
with Industry Demand and Entrepreneurship Devel- Session I: Reorienting Veterinary Research from Publica-
opment.” The conclave focused on strengthening aca- tion-Driven to Demand-Driven Frameworks
demia-industry collaboration to drive innovation, entre- Moderated by Shri Tarun Shridhar, IAS (Retd.), DG, ICFA,
preneurship, and sustainable growth in the livestock and with Dr. Atul Dhok as Rapporteur.
poultry sectors.
Distinguished panellists shared insights on making vet-
Hon’ble Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, Former Union Minister, erinary research more industry-focused, impactful, and
Government of India and former Governor of Himachal innovation-driven.
Pradesh, graced the conclave as Chief Guest. In his inspir-
ing address, he emphasized making veterinary education Session II: Entrepreneurship Development and
and research more practical, industry-focused, and im- Agri-Business Incubation in Veterinary Universities
pact-oriented. He highlighted the need for universities to Moderated by Dr. Niteen V. Patil, Vice-Chancellor, MAF-
produce employable graduates equipped with hands-on SU, Nagpur.
skills and an entrepreneurial mindset, while stressing de-
mand-driven research, technology transfer, and universi- Experts discussed strengthening entrepreneurship, inno-
ty-industry partnerships. Shri Dattatreya also specifically vation, and incubation ecosystems within veterinary edu-
cation and the livestock sector.

Session III: Technology Commercialisation, Start-up
Promotion, and Stakeholders Empowerment
Moderated by Dr. Nazeer Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancel-
lor, SKUAST, Kashmir.
The session explored pathways to bridge research and
enterprise, promoting startups and translating innovations
into impactful ventures for the livestock sector and rural
economy.
Session IV: Poultry Sector – Priority Research Areas for
6 Vol. 42 No. 6