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KVASU felicitated Dr.Venugopal for receiving Officer of the Order of the British Empire recognition

Exciting opportunities are awaiting for Bioscience researchers across the globe; says Dr. Venugopal Nair

                              Exciting opportunities are awaiting for Bioscience researchers across the globe; says Dr. Venugopal Nair, who is currently working as the Head of Avian Viral Diseases Programme at the Pirbright Institute in the UK. Dr.Venugopal made this remark during the felicitation programme arranged at College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, KVASU Mannuthy Campus on 1st January 2015 in connection with his recognition in the New Year's Honours List 2015 published on the 30th of December 2014 to receive an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire). He receives the honour in recognition of his services to Science in the UK. Diseases like bird flu are emerging. Many of our viral vaccines were 3-4 decade old. These are some of the opportunities in Biosciences. If the issues are challenging opportunities will emerge. Based on that researchers should work hard and innovate in their areas for receiving appropriate funding sources. The biggest challenge in the world is food security issues. We need to produce 25 % more food to meet the global food security challenges. Universities in the area of Bioscience research need to focus on genome sequencing, advances in vaccine technology and transgenic technology which are the emerging areas of research. Dr.Venugopal added.   Venugopal has been working for over 25 years in this field in the UK. He graduated from Kerala Veterinary College in 1972 and completed his Masters from there and took PhD from Madras Veterinary College during 1989. He worked as faculty at department of preventive medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy. He is currently working as the Head of Avian Viral Diseases Programme at the Pirbright Institute in the UK. His areas of research are poultry viral diseases and poultry oncology. The Order of the British Empire recognizes distinguished service to the arts and sciences, public services outside the Civil Service and work with charitable and welfare organizations of all kinds. Today the Order of the British Empire is the order of chivalry of British democracy. Valuable service is the only criterion for the award, and the Order is now used to reward service in a wide range of useful activities. Director of Entrepreneurship, KVASU Dr.T.P.Sethumadhavan presided over the function. He emphasized the importance of using the vast research experience of Dr.Venugopal for the benefit of creating vaccine against Bird Flu in the country. Professor and Head, Department of Preventive Medicine Dr.M.R.Saseendranath delivered the introductory speech. Dean, College of Dairy Science and Technology Dr.Gireesh Varma offered felicitations. Associate Dean, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Dr.K.Anilkumar welcomed the delegates and presented momento on behalf of the College to Dr.Venugopal. Dr.Gee Varghese, Professor, LPT, Mannuthy presented momento to Dr.Venugopal and Dr (Mrs) Geetha Venugopal on behalf of the Indian Veterinary Association. Professor (Academics) Dr. Maya expressed vote of thanks. Faculty members and students attended the programme.