Shahid Iqbal inaugurates first of its kind Immersive Virtual Reality Lab at SKUAST-Kashmir

SRINAGAR : Secretary Science & Technology Department, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Chowdhury today inaugurated the Immersive Virtual Reality Lab. (IVRL) in the Division of Veterinary Anatomy at Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Shuhama SKUAST-Kashmir.
The Secretary was accompanied by distinguished dignitaries, including Vice Chancellor SKUAST Kashmir Prof.Nazir Ahmad Ganai at the event along with other University Officers and faculty members from various Medical Colleges of Kashmir Division.
It is worth to mention that the newly created facility is one of the finest curriculum based laboratories in world and stands as first of its kind developed in any University across India. The new lab. hosts world class equipment’s on AR (Augmented Reality), VR(Virtual Reality) and other 3D facilities that can be used in the fields of Medical, Veterinary and other related sciences in its different sub-disciplines like Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Medicine, Surgery, Radiology and other clinical subjects. The facilities will be of great help to students, researchers and other clinician in better understanding of their subjects and its applicability on diverse range of skill subsets added to their kitty. The newly established facilities will further overcome ethical constraints faced in upholding the sessions on real/ practical subject items with the presence of bestin class material at ones finger tips. The Division of Veterinary Anatomy has named the Lab and it’s adjoin facilities rightly as Skills Hub Centreand isbeing majorlyfunded by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, (NABARD).
In his address, Dr.Shahid Iqbal congratulated the University for its Innovative Projects and assured all the support from his Department for the Research and Developmental projects. Dr.Shahid Iqbal laid stress to overcome the prevailing disconnect between different institutions in their scientific discourse by reducing the existing gaps through effective planning.
Dr.Shahid Iqbal further emphasized on the growing need of introducing new innovative methodologies in teaching and research as seen in most parts of the developed world.
Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof.Nazir Ahmad Ganai in his address highlighted the achievements of university and complimented the Veterinary faculty for new facility developed at its campus. He further appreciated the efforts of Dr.Firdous A Dar, PI of newly establishing IVR Lab developed at Division of Veterinary Anatomy with the help of NABARD. Prof.NazirAhmad highlighted the importance of this new lab. forcompetitive grooming of students in an effective manner. He also invited the students, researchers and other faculty members from different related institutions to this lab. for the utilization of available services in a regulated manner. He further impressed upon the Faculty to take a lead in similar scientific ventures in theirrespective fieldsand work for the development of UT as bio-economic model of rest of the country.
Earlier, Prof.Riaz A Shah Dean FVSc& AH formally welcomed the guests and other participants at the event and hoped that new facility will improve the practical skills of students and foster innovations among them. Afterwards, Dr.FirdousAhmad gave a detailed demonstration of the Virtual lab to the audience in quite impressive manner. The event ended with vote of thanks presented by Head Division of Veterinary Anatomy, Prof. A .R. Chowdhury while the session was handled by Dr.Andleeb Rafiq, Assistant Prof.in host Division at FVSc & AH, Shuhama.