No separate budget, RU veterinary clinic lacks digital equipment

The Veterinary Clinic and Artificial Breeding Centre, a premier and multidisciplinary hospital, was built to provide higher research facilities to the students of veterinary and animal science in Rajshahi University (RU). But it is now plagued by several problems, including a lack of transportation facilities, employees, equipment, and so on, thanks to funds crunches.

The Rajshahi Agricultural College started its journey in 1991. In 2001, Rajshahi University took it in the ambit of its agricultural faculty. In 2004, the university authority handed its responsibility to the veterinary and animal science department. To carry on research activities and to provide sophisticated training on veterinary science, the authority opened the Veterinary Clinic and Artificial Breeding Centre in 2005. The clinic was supposed to provide state-of-the-art technical facilities, which are not otherwise available in the northern part of the country, sources said.

However, in reality, it has one outdated research lab, an operating theatre, a gynaecology lab, a dispensary, and an X-ray machine, claimed students. According to them, they cannot attend practical classes and conduct proper research on the campus. The campus is 13 km away from the main campus, located in Narkalbarya under Pubathana in the city.

Besides, the 12-acre campus has no fence. Apparently, several things, including 500 coconut trees, have been looted by local influential people. A lot of the research equipment has been stolen at different times, but no complaint was ever lodged, sources alleged.

There are only three guards in the daytime, four night guards, and one cleaner. That is clearly not enough for the huge campus. On the other hand, many posts are reportedly lying vacant. Local influential forces allegedly threaten the guards to bow to their illegal demands, one of them alleged.

Only one bus is used to ferry 300 students—from first-year graduation to the master’s level—from the main campus and back.  Students alleged that they have to return to the main campus even if they cannot complete their practical classes and examinations on the campus, thanks to the bus schedule. Rubbishing the allegations, assistant professor Dr FM Ali Hayder, administrator of the university transport department, said the buses often leave with empty seats and so they cannot add more buses for the clinic students. Dr Hematul Arif, who is in charge of the centre, said theirs is a practical-based department which allows students to get involved professionally. The students are allowed to treat local farm animals, like cattle, goats, poultry, and dogs.

However, students and officials are losing their interest in coming to the campus due to the distance. Besides, the centre has failed to provide enough digital equipment, he admitted.

The president of the veterinary and animal science department, Prof. Kamruzzaman, said the clinic needs 10–12 labs and more digital equipment. However, the university authorities did not allot any additional budget for the clinic. They are managing the clinic with the annual departmental budget. That is why they cannot buy animals and digital equipment for the lab, he pleaded. Replying to a query, Prof. Kamruzzama said only one university bus has been allotted to them, while the other facilities are very poor. And that is why students, teachers, and other staff members and trainers are losing interest in the clinic, he added. He said he is still hopeful that the clinic can play a vital role in boosting research, practical education, and helping the underprivileged people of the area if the university authority allots more funds, employs more staff, and increases transport facilities. However, Prof. Dr Ananda Kumar Saha, the pro-vice-chancellor of the university, said: “Many departments and institutes are continuing their classes and research, even though they are located away from the main campus.

He claimed that students are losing interest in research due to the clinic teachers’ carelessness. He added that the university has many plans to modernise the Veterinary Clinic and Artificial Breeding Centre, but it will take more time to buy new equipment for the campus.

No separate budget, RU veterinary clinic lacks digital equipment

The Veterinary Clinic and Artificial Breeding Centre, a premier and multidisciplinary hospital, was built to provide higher research facilities to the students of veterinary and animal science in Rajshahi University (RU). But it is now plagued by several problems, including a lack of transportation facilities, employees, equipment, and so on, thanks to funds crunches. The Rajshahi Agricultural College started its journey in 1991. In 2001, Rajshahi University took it in the ambit of its agricultural faculty. In 2004, the university authority handed its responsibility to the veterinary and animal science department. To carry on research activities and to provide sophisticated training on veterinary science, the authority opened the Veterinary Clinic and Artificial Breeding Centre in 2005. The clinic was supposed to provide state-of-the-art technical facilities, which are not otherwise available in the northern part of the country, sources said. However, in reality, it has one outdated research lab, an operating theatre, a gynaecology lab, a dispensary, and an X-ray machine, claimed students. According to them, they cannot attend practical classes and conduct proper research on the campus. The campus is 13 km away from the main campus, located in Narkalbarya under Pubathana in the city. Besides, the 12-acre campus has no fence. Apparently, several things, including 500 coconut trees, have been looted by local influential people. A lot of the research equipment has been stolen at different times, but no complaint was ever lodged, sources alleged. There are only three guards in the daytime, four night guards, and one cleaner. That is clearly not enough for the huge campus. On the other hand, many posts are reportedly lying vacant. Local influential forces allegedly threaten the guards to bow to their illegal demands, one of them alleged. Only one bus is used to ferry 300 studentsfrom first-year graduation to the masters levelfrom the main campus and back. Students alleged that they have to return to the main campus even if they cannot complete their practical classes and examinations on the campus, thanks to the bus schedule. Rubbishing the allegations, assistant professor Dr FM Ali Hayder, administrator of the university transport department, said the buses often leave with empty seats and so they cannot add more buses for the clinic students. Dr Hematul Arif, who is in charge of the centre, said theirs is a practical-based department which allows students to get involved professionally. The students are allowed to treat local farm animals, like cattle, goats, poultry, and dogs. However, students and officials are losing their interest in coming to the campus due to the distance. Besides, the centre has failed to provide enough digital equipment, he admitted. The president of the veterinary and animal science department, Prof. Kamruzzaman, said the clinic needs 1012 labs and more digital equipment. However, the university authorities did not allot any additional budget for the clinic. They are managing the clinic with the annual departmental budget. That is why they cannot buy animals and digital equipment for the lab, he pleaded. Replying to a query, Prof. Kamruzzama said only one university bus has been allotted to them, while the other facilities are very poor. And that is why students, teachers, and other staff members and trainers are losing interest in the clinic, he added. He said he is still hopeful that the clinic can play a vital role in boosting research, practical education, and helping the underprivileged people of the area if the university authority allots more funds, employs more staff, and increases transport facilities. However, Prof. Dr Ananda Kumar Saha, the pro-vice-chancellor of the university, said: Many departments and institutes are continuing their classes and research, even though they are located away from the main campus. He claimed that students are losing interest in research due to the clinic teachers carelessness. He added that the university has many plans to modernise the Veterinary Clinic and Artificial Breeding Centre, but it will take more time to buy new equipment for the campus.