Immersive Virtual Reality Laboratory inaugurated at SKUAST-K’s Veterinary Faculty

Srinagar, Sep 30: The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has established an Immersive Virtual Reality Laboratory (IVRL) at the Division of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Shuhama.

The facility was inaugurated by Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdhury, Secretary, Science & Technology Department, in the presence of Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-K, Professor Nazir Ahmad Ganai, senior university officers, and faculty members from medical colleges across the Kashmir division.

The laboratory, described as one of the most advanced curriculum-based facilities in its field, is the first of its kind in veterinary education across Indian universities. It features world-class equipment in Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and 3D technologies, enabling transformative teaching and research across disciplines including anatomy, physiology, pathology, gynaecology and obstetrics, medicine, surgery, radiology and other clinical subjects.

Officials said the facility will help students, researchers, and clinicians gain a deeper understanding of complex concepts while reducing ethical constraints in practical training. The centre has been named the Skills Hub Centre and is largely funded by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

Congratulating the university, Dr Shahid Iqbal lauded the innovation and assured departmental support for future research projects. He urged institutions to close gaps in scientific collaboration through effective planning and highlighted the need to adopt new methodologies in teaching and research, as seen in developed countries.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai praised the veterinary faculty for pioneering the initiative, crediting Dr Firdous A. Dar as the Principal Investigator. He said the lab would sharpen students’ competitiveness and invited scholars and faculty from other institutions to use the facility. He also encouraged faculty to spearhead similar scientific ventures and contribute towards positioning Jammu and Kashmir as a bio-economic model for the nation.

Earlier, Dean FVSc & AH, Prof. Riaz A. Shah, welcomed the dignitaries, while Dr Firdous Ahmad gave a live demonstration of the lab. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. A. R. Chowdhury, Head of the Division of Veterinary Anatomy. Proceedings were conducted by Dr Andleeb Rafiq, Assistant Professor.