The 3rd WPSA Student Symposium brought together students, researchers, academics and poultry professionals, while a new poultry society and MoU opened avenues for research, training and industry collaboration.
PESHAWAR: The World’s Poultry Science Association (WPSA) Pakistan Branch – North Zone and the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Swat, have strengthened their collaboration through the 3rd WPSA Student Symposium 2026, with a focus on preparing students for emerging opportunities in Pakistan’s poultry sector.
Held on June 11 at the UVAS Swat campus, the symposium brought together students, academics, researchers, poultry professionals and industry representatives for discussions on poultry health, research, nutrition, commercial farming, leadership and career development.
The event was hosted by UVAS Swat with sponsorship from HiVet Animal Health Business Pakistan and SINDER Animal Health China.
The programme featured technical presentations covering some of the industry’s key challenges and opportunities. Dr Asif Masood Rana, CEO of HiVet Animal Health Business Pakistan, discussed vaccination programmes and disease prevention in commercial poultry production, while Dr Abdul Khalique Samoon addressed surveillance and monitoring of respiratory pathogens and modern diagnostic approaches.
WPSA Pakistan Secretary General Dr Farhan Farooq encouraged students to engage with emerging technologies, research and professional opportunities, while Dr Khurram Shahbaz highlighted the work of the Soy Excellence Center in nutrition, capacity building and skills development.
Dr Saeed Ahmad Khan discussed the development and future prospects of commercial poultry farming in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including opportunities for young professionals and entrepreneurs.
A key focus of the symposium was connecting scientific research with practical industry applications. Dr Nasir Mukhtar, Associate Professor at PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi and Director R&D of WPSA Pakistan, spoke on the “Research-to-Market Pathway: Bridging Science and Business”, encouraging students to explore entrepreneurship alongside conventional career routes.
New poultry society established at UVAS Swat
The symposium also marked the establishment of the UVAS Swat Poultry Society, with newly elected office bearers taking an oath to promote scientific learning, professional development and student engagement in poultry science.
Another major development was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between WPSA Pakistan and UVAS Swat.
The agreement, signed by Dr Farhan Farooq and UVAS Swat Additional Registrar Dr Khalid Khan, provides a framework for cooperation in student development, research, technical training, internships, professional networking and industry engagement.
Dr Khalid Farooq also highlighted the expanding poultry sector in the Swat region and discussed potential investment and economic opportunities associated with commercial poultry farming.
The symposium concluded with an emphasis on continued collaboration between educational institutions and the poultry industry, with organisers describing the new student society and MoU as foundations for future research, training and professional opportunities.
