By Dr. Ansab Ali
Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: The Syndicate of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore, has approved a Rs4.870 billion budget for the financial year 2026–27, with a strong focus on innovation, applied research, skill-based education, hands-on training, infrastructure development, quality education, technology transfer, and strengthening Pakistan’s livestock sector.

The budget was approved during the 79th Syndicate meeting chaired by UVAS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Masood Rabbani. Addressing the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor said that Rs917.349 million has been allocated for ongoing development projects during the next financial year.

He said Rs500 million has been earmarked for the Strengthening of KBCMA, CVAS project, Rs300 million for the UVAS Pattoki Campus, and Rs117.349 million for the Establishment of a Wrestling Academy and Resource Center under the Higher Education Commission’s (HEC) Kamyab Jawan Sports Academies (High Performance & Resource Centers) and Youth Olympics project.

Prof. Rabbani also briefed the Syndicate on the university’s academic achievements, research initiatives, and future development projects. He said the Ravi Campus Pattoki is being developed into an Agro-Livestock Tourism Resort, where students, researchers, families, and visitors from schools, colleges, and universities will gain practical exposure to poultry, dairy, livestock, fisheries, wildlife management, and farm-to-fork food processing.

The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the establishment of the Pakistan-Netherlands Dairy Development Center, which aims to enhance awareness among livestock farmers regarding breed improvement, animal nutrition, dairy farm management, animal health, welfare, and advocacy.

He further informed the Syndicate about the establishment of the Center for Academic Development and Student Wellbeing, designed to address issues such as cultural adjustment, mental health, language barriers, financial challenges, and student disengagement through a structured mentoring programme.

Prof. Rabbani also reviewed the university’s recent seminars, training workshops, research collaborations, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), local and international delegation visits, student competitions, and faculty development initiatives. He said UVAS is expanding faculty-led technical courses and advanced assessment training to strengthen academic excellence.

Presenting the budget, Treasurer Muhammad Umar informed the Syndicate that the university expects Rs3.243 billion in non-development income during FY 2026–27, while projected non-development expenditure stands at Rs3.952 billion, resulting in an estimated deficit of Rs709.529 million.

He said the university expects to generate Rs2.334 billion from its own resources. To bridge the budget gap, UVAS plans to increase revenue through the production of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine, outsourcing poultry and fish farms, feed mills and the milk plant, expanding research-based products, strengthening diagnostic and clinical services, increasing student enrolment through market-oriented degree, diploma and certificate programmes, and shifting university campuses towards solar energy.

The Treasurer added that strict austerity measures will also be implemented to control recurring expenditures and ensure financial sustainability.

The Syndicate also approved a number of administrative and academic matters aimed at promoting the welfare of the university, its faculty, and students.