West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences

The Department of FRM, FFSc, WBUAFS hosted a webinar on Ocean Biodiversity: Conservation and Governance featuring Mr. Rinaldi Gotama (University of Queensland) and Ms. Rizza Sacra-Dejucos (Asia Coordination, High Seas Alliance, Philippines)on 07.05.2026. The session explored marine conservation challenges, scientific interventions, and governance under the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ). The event saw enthusiastic participation from faculty, students, research scholars and fisheries institutions across India. Grateful to our Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Dr. T.K. Datta and university leadership for inspiring remarks.

A brief report on ICAR Sponsored Short Course entitled ‘Antimicrobial resistance to antibiotics in animals and its impact on human health’

Department of Veterinary Microbiology, F/O-VAS organized ICAR Sponsored Short Course entitled ‘Antimicrobial resistance to antibiotics in animals and its impact on human health’ during Feb 11-20, 2026. Prof Indranil Samanta, Head of the Department acted as course director and other teachers of the Department Prof SN Joardar, Dr Kunal Batabyal and Dr Samir Dey acted as core organizing committee members. In total 23 participants like Assistant Professors/ Scientists from TANUVAS (Chennai), SVVU (Tirupati), OUAT (Bhubaneswar), SKUAST-K (Srinagar, Kashmir), Kamdhenu University (Anand, Gujrat), NDVSU (Jabalpur, MP), ICMR-NIRBI (NICED, Kolkata), RRS-ICAR-CIFA, ERS-ICAR- NDRI, NB St. Xavier’s College, Assistant Director/Associate Project Director nominated by ARD, Government of West Bengal were actively present throughout the 10 days program. The experts were from diversified disciplines and Institute/University reflecting the multi- stakeholder nature of the issue, namely, LSHTM (UK), Kiel University (Germany), WHOCountry Office of India, IIT-Kharagpur, CAU-Aizawl, All India Institute of Public Health and Hygiene, ERS-ICAR-IVRI, ICAR-CIFA, Calcutta University, BCKV, West Bengal State University, MAKAUT, Vidyasagar University, Diamond Harbour Medical College, Independent human/poultry health consultants etc. The University dignitaries Dr TK Dutta, Honourable Vice-Chancellor, Prof P Das, Registrar, Prof S Batabyal, DREF, Prof N Ghosh, Dean-F/O VAS graced the inaugural/valedictory sessions with their motivational speech for the participants. The experts opined during the short course that not only indiscriminate antibiotic usage in human or livestock, but also leakage of crude antimicrobials into the soil and water bodies from sewage / pharmaceutical effluents, polluted environment also acts as the source of ‘resistome’. One health approach with community engagement to change the people perception about antibiotic usage and dependency on the antibiotics, even when not required, is the utmost necessity for mitigation of antimicrobial resistance.

A seminar on “Solving Research Problems Using Statistical Applications” was organised by the Faculty of Fishery Sciences, WBUAFS, Kolkata on 15 December, 2025. The distinguished speaker was Dr. Sujit Roy, Visiting Faculty of GIMT, Krishnanagar and Kalyani University. The event aims to equips PG and PhD students with the intellectual tools, analytical skills, and methodological confidence needed to conduct high-quality research, solve real-world problems, and contribute meaningfully to their disciplines. The seminar was attended by the Faculty members and PG and PhD students of the Faculty. Prof. T.S. Nagesh, Dean of the Faculty of Fishery Sciences, made the welcome address, emphasizing the importance of statistics in every day’s life and students’ research. Prof. T.K. Ghosh, Coordinator of the Seminar, introduced the speaker to the audience. Dr. Sujit Roy delivered the seminar highlighting core of research, ethics, descriptive and inferential statistics, data collection, hypothesis formulation and testing, data visualization and interpretation, validate assumptions, and draw defensible conclusions. He also emphasised on the use statistics software packages and their applications. The seminar followed by the interaction with the students and the faculty members. Dr. Soumyadip Purkait, Assistant Professor and head, Department of Fishery Economics, Statistics and Marketing presented vote of thanks.

A SPECIAL TALK on ZEAL FOR LIFE A SPECIAL TALK on ‘ZEAL FOR LIFE’ was organised by the Faculty of Fishery Sciences, WBUAFS, Kolkata on 30.11.2025. Prof. S.M. Shivaprakash, Former Dean, College of Fisheries, Mangalore and Former Director of Extension, KVAFSU, Bidar, Karnataka was the Chief Guest and distinguished speaker. Dr. G.K. Varma. Director, Global Knight Foodtech Group and Mr. Soumik Mondal, Head, Technical of SGS India Pvt. Ltd were the guests of honour. The inaugural session began with the student-led invocation song. Prof. T.S. Nagesh, Dean of the Faculty of Fishery Sciences, welcomed the guests and introduced the guests. Dr. Varma emphasized the role of professional graduates to be a job provider rather than a job seeker. Mr. Mondal expressed that students should use their skills to enjoy their life. Prof. Shivaprakash delivered a special talk on the ‘Zeal for Life’. He deliberated on harnessing passion, happiness, and love within one’s life—and on sharing them generously with society, so that personal joy becomes collective progress. He also expressed need for imbibing the essential qualities and attitudes that lead to a happy, successful, and meaningful life. He pondered on key to happiness need for healthy mind and body, optimism thinking, importance of learning and creativity in students’ life It blends wisdom from philosophers, scientists, and spiritual leaders to motivate the audience to lead a happy and successful life. Students and faculty members enthusiastically participated in the event. Prof. T.K. Ghosh, Prof. N.A. Talwar, Prof. G. Dash and Dr. Srinibas Das graced the occasion. Prof. G. Dash presented vote of thanks. The event concluded with award ceremony followed by the singing of the National Anthem.

World Fishery Day 2025 World Fisheries Day 2025 was enthusiastically celebrated at the Faculty of Fishery Sciences, WBUAFS, Kolkata in collaboration with Pillay Aquaculture Foundation Trust, Indian Chapter on 21 November, 2025. The event aims to increase awareness about the critical role of fisheries and aquaculture in ensuring food security, supporting livelihoods, and maintaining ecosystem health. On this occasion, notable professionals spoke, and poster presentations were presented.The inaugural session commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp, followed by an invocation song by students. The inaugural session began with the usual lamp lighting ceremony, followed by a student-led invocation song. Prof. T.S. Nagesh, Dean of the Faculty of Fishery Sciences, made the welcome address, emphasizing the importance of World Fisheries Day and PAFTIC’s work. Dr. T.K. Datta, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of WBUAFS, presided over the ceremony and stressed the importance of fisheries in the country’s economic prosperity as well as the characteristics of a good student. Prof. B.B. Mallick, Former Vice Chancellor and the function’s chief guest, reflected on the development of WBUAFS and the role of academic institutions in improving the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in the state and country. Dr. A.K. Pal, Former Joint Director of ICAR-CIFE and the Guest of Honor, emphasized the need of skill development in fisheries experts in resolving fish farmers’ difficulties. Dr. Archana Sinha, Head of the Division, Aquatic Environment and Biotechnology Division, ICAR-CIFRI, and the Guest of Honor, discussed the relevance of small indigenous fishes as a rich source of nutrition and for increasing fisheries and aquaculture productivity. Prof. S. Batabyal, DREF, WBUAFS, and Prof. Partha Das, Registrar, WBUAFS, Guests of Honour, emphasized the importance of various stakeholders in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, as well as maxi