We are extremely happy to learn that yet another Veterinary University has been inaugurated. The Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University was officially declared in March 1999. The Vice Chancellor was appointed in November 2000 and he took charge on 10^th November 2000. The University was formally inaugurated by His Excellency Dr. P.C. Alexander, Governor of Maharashra and the Chancellor of the University at Nagpur on 3^rd December 2000 in the presence of a galaxy of personalities including Hon'ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri. Vilasraoji Deshmukh, Shri. Makharamji Pawar, Pro-Chancellor and Hon'ble Minister for Animal Husbandry, Shri. A. Deokate, Hon'ble Minister for Dairy and Fisheries, Shri. S. Moghe, Palakmantri for Nagpur District, Shri. R. Deshmukh, Hon'ble Agriculture Minister, Shri. A.T. Pawar, Hon'ble State Minister for Animal Husbandry, and Dairy, Shri. D. Jadhavrao, Hon'ble State Agriculture Minister, Shri. A. Ali, M.L.A. from Nagpur, Shri. P. Awade, M.L.A. from Kolhapur and Shri. Ramesh Kumar, Secretary for Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries, Maharashtra State besides the Vice Chancellor Dr. A.T. Sherikar, Dr. Ashok Kuchewar, Officer on Special Duty and Dr. Mahisekar, Registrar of the University. It is noteworthy that Dr. Alexander, His Excellency, the Governor of Maharashtra owns the distinction of inaugurating two Veterinary Universities in the country. He inaugurated the first ever Veterinary University in Tamilnadu in 1989 and now he has done it again in Maharashtra. We are highly thankful to him, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and his Cabinet colleagues, the Maharashtra Government and the host of supporters of the concept of Veterinary University. We appeal to the Hon'ble Chief Minister to allocate liberally funds to the new University so that the University takes off without any teething trouble.

Under this University, with Head Quarters at Nagpur, there will be five Veterinary Colleges, largest in any University, six Dairy Science / Technology colleges and one Fishery Sciences College. Five Research Stations have been attached to the University.

We appeal to the Hon'ble Agriculture Minister to accord recognition to the new University immediately and also recommend for recognition by the U.G.C. besides sanctioning liberally from the ICAR Development Grant. We appeal to the Veterinary Council of India and Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying to include the degrees conferred by the new University in the First Schedule of the Indian Veterinary Council Act as this University is a successor in office to the Agricultural Universities, which were conferring the degrees earlier. We do hope and trust that the Vice Chancellor will act quickly and see that the recognitions are obtained without any delay and sufficient funds are obtained from all quarters. The Government of Maharashtra has to also issue a formal order recognizing the degrees conferred by the new University. We appeal to the Vice Chancellor to constitute expert committees to suggest him ways and means to improve the new University including short-term and long-term perspective plans. We also appeal to the Government of Maharashtra to appoint a high power committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary with the Finance Secretary and Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries Secretary as well as the Vice Chancellor to chalk out the immediate plans for putting the new University in the right path and perspective. We congratulate the Vets of Maharashtra, who worked silently to achieve this feat. We wish the New University all Success in the years to come.

As published in Editorial i of the Indian Veterinary Journal, February 2001 [Indian Vet.J., February, 2001;78;i-ii].

Statutory Notice

PLEASE NOTE: The above information is merely an attempt to introduce the new University and the institutions that fall under it's jurisdiction. It is by no means, complete or totally error-free. Please refer MAFSU's official web site www.mafsu.in for detailed information about MAFSU.