|
 Most
of the scientists cannot participate in
international conferences/seminars/workshops due to
lack of funds. Our weak R&D system cannot afford the
cost of such international events. Aim of every
scientist is to reach there, present his/her
research paper, build collaboration and to get
motivation from the work going on at international
level.
Punjab Agricultural Research Board (PARB) has taken
a leading step in this regard and is releasing funds
as travel grant to agri scientists. In this way they
can participate in International events, represent
Pakistan and gain experience to learn innovative
things. This initiative proves to be very successful
in building strong linkages with International
stakeholders. In future, such collaborations can
provide platform for strengthening research and to
introduce innovations.
PARB is trying to
fund travel grant to as many scientists as it can,
within its capacity in future.
During about last
two month, following scientists have participated in
International events:
2nd
International Congress of Food Hygiene
Venue:
Al-Razi
Conference Hall, Tehran Medical University, Iran
Theme
of the Conference:
Global Efforts for Food Safety
Topics of the
Conference:
·
Food
Microbiology
·
Food
Chemistry, Toxicology Contaminants
·
Additives
and Preservatives
·
Water
Safety
·
Epidemiology of Food-borne infections &
Intoxications
·
The role
of probiotics in Hygiene and Nutrition
·
Organic
Foods
·
Safety of
Food Chain
·
Food
Control Systems
·
The role
of Veterinary Medicine in Food Safety
·
Food
Name
of the Scientists:
Three scientists were provided grant from PARB to
attend this International Congress
a). Dr. Aqeel
Javeed, Assistant Professor Department of
Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Veterinary
and Animal Sciences, UVAS Lahore. Dr. Aqeel Javeed
presented his research paper on “Polarity Based
Solvents Extraction of Opuntia Dilleni and
Zingiber of Ficinale for In-Vitro Antimicrobial
Activities”.
b): Dr.
Muti-Ur-Rehman Assistant Professor UVAS, Lahore. He
presented his research paper on “Food Borne
disease (Salmonellosis) as a Public Health Problem
through consuming the Meat & Egg of Catrrier’s
Birds”.
c). Dr. Muhammad
Hassan Mushtaq, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology
and Public Health, UVAS Lahore. He presented his
research paper on “Microbiological quality of
different snack foods in Urban areas of Pakistan”.
Summarizing scientist’s views:
The theme of World Veterinary year was the basic
objective of the of the Congress, i.e “ Vet for
health, Vet for Food, Vet for planet”. The
congress gives a good opportunity to have a close
interaction with global scientist, involved in food
hygiene and safety and to discuss the latest
research on that issue. The keynote speakers given
important message of not using antibiotics for
production purpose and especially medically
important antimicrobial drugs usage is against the
public health interests. While giving suggestions
based on the lessons learnt to improve research in
Pakistan, Dr. Mati Ur Rehman said that “level of
research in our country is not as high as at abroad.
This congress has identified new areas of research
which will be utilized to conduct the thesis work of
post-graduate students”. He also said that many
professors have given chance to their students for
presentation; it’s a healthy sign for getting
experience and exposure at student level. He
suggested establishing collaboration between local
and international research centers to improve
research skills and standards.
Dr. Muhammad Hassan
Mushtaq said that participation in such conferences
is a source of global interaction for scientists. He
said, “During my visit to college of Veterinary
Medicine at Tehran University, Iran, I discussed
with them about the research areas of their interest
and also briefed them about research projects of our
University”. He also commented that Pakistani
Universities have not appropriate facilities for R &
D and should establish collaborations on urgent
basis. He suggested that Pilot testing should be
done before any study in order to validate the study
design, statistical analysis and techniques. He
requested PARB to facilitate scientists and students
to attend training programmes in the field of
research. He appreciated PARB efforts for
facilitating scientists to attend international
conferences/seminars.
“World Aquaculture
for Changing World”
Venue:
Natal Convention Center, Natal, Brazil
Theme
of the Conference:
Aquaculture for a Changing World
·
Salient features of the Conference according to
scientist:
This international conference was jointly hosted by
the World Aquaculture Society
(WAS), WAS-Latin
American & Caribben Chapter and Association
Criadores de Camaroes, in conjunction with Feira
International de Aquaculture and Fenacam
·
The conference
assembles world Aquaculture community with the basic
aim of Aquaculture for changing world, where
different aspects of aquaculture was discussed in
several technical sessions.
·
There were more than
50 scientific sessions focusing on innovative
aquaculture systems and management
·
Topics include
economics, sustainability, engineering,
reproduction, health, nutrition, genetics,
microalgae
·
A total of 1250
papers were accepted for oral presentations resulted
in wide range of sessions. Over 900 posters and 300
exhibitions in trade show demonstrated the latest
and greatest innovations and products for
aquaculture
·
International shrimp
farming symposium covered main topics of the world
shrimp farming industry with a great variety of
subjects jointly organized by FENACAM’11 and WAS
·
The conference
provide us an excellent forum to interact with world
most famous aquaculture scientists, industry people,
suppliers and other stakeholders involved in finfish
and shell fish aquaculture with latest techniques
and equipments
·
Aquaculture is the
fastest growing food industry worldwide. It is the
need of the time to manage our culture system
environment friendly and sustainable to cater the
world increasing population. Aquaculture is more
close to agriculture than any other farming
practices and integration with agriculture is very
important for future sustainability of two systems.
·
An excellent forum
for presenting my research work and introducing my
department, University and country in this mega
event
·
The conference was
very fruitful and productive to my academic and
research career
·
I have develop
linkages with scientists of Turkey, USA, World Fish
Centre (Malaysia), India, Thailand, who shows their
willingness for developing joint research
collaboration in future.
Names
of the Scientist:
Dr. Noor Khan, Assistant Professor, Department of
Fisheries & Aquaculture, University of Veterinary
and Animal Sciences Lahore. He presented his
research paper on “Comparative Growth Performance
and Body Composition of Indian Major CARPS (Catla
Catla, Cirrhinus Mrigala and Labeo Rohita)
Fingerlings when fed an Artificial Feed Under
Monoculture Production”.
His recommendations
to improve research in Pakistan are as follows:
·
We should plan our
research as per international level. At present due
to lack of facilities and non- cooperation among
different institutions, quality of research is not
so much productive
·
Problem oriented
research should be conducted with the cooperation of
industry and international collaborations
·
We should replace
the traditional research into new lines with latest
techniques and brings new species and culture
techniques into our system
·
Like other countries
our post-graduate students should be given a chance
to present their research in such conferences. This
will definitely improve their skills of presenting
data and research capabilities.
·
It gives me
motivations to organize a Pakistan Fisheries and
Aquaculture Society and affiliated it with WAS for
organizing conferences, workshops on fisheries and
aquaculture for further enhancement of this sector
in Pakistan.
Postharvest
Unlimited
Venue
of the Conference:
Leavenworth, Washington, USA
Theme
of the Conference:
The main theme was to highlight new scientific and
technological research for development and encourage
interaction among various postharvest disciplines
and industry participants
Name
of the Scientist:
Dr. Nadeem Akhtar Abbasi, Professor/Chairman
Department of Horticulture PMAS Arid Agriculture
University Murree Road, Rawalpindi. He presented his
paper on “Foliar spray of ethanol affected fruit
growth, yield and postharvest performance of “Sahil”
tomato”.
Salient Features of
the Conference according to scientist:
·
Postharvest storage
and distribution
·
Experimental and
applied Postharvest physiology
·
Postharvest quality
assessment
·
Understanding
storage stress and its implications
·
The future: Beyond
Systems’
Suggestions and
recommendations based on the lessons learnt to
improve research in Pakistan
·
Processing, grading
packing and transportation of fruits must be of
international standard. Advanced techniques should
be adopted to maintain quality and food safety until
it reaches the consumer
·
Edible grade
chemicals must be introduced along with newly
introduced more effective methods like use of 1-MCP
·
Special facilities
must be developed for transportation at airports and
shipping places like cold storage CA etc
·
The standards for
handling during harvest, processing, packing and
storage must be developed for different varieties
according to the environmental conditions, the fruit
was produced
·
Research in Pakistan
should have a focus in the area of postharvest of
perishable commodities. After that, technologies
should be developed on the basis of successful
results of the research that can be used by the
horticulture industry |
