BAU marks World Vet Day with vaccination drive
Bangladesh joined the global community in observing World Veterinary Day 2026 through a series of programmes and awareness campaigns held across the country.
In line with the nationwide celebrations, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) marked the day with various initiatives, including a free PPR vaccination drive for goats, aimed at highlighting the role of veterinarians as guardians of food safety and public health.
The day was celebrated under the global theme, “Veterinarians are guardians of food and health.”
As part of the day’s activities at BAU, the Faculty of Veterinary Science organized a free Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) vaccination campaign at the university’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, reports UNB.
Prof. Dr. Md. Mahmudul Alam, member secretary of the BAU World Veterinary Day 2026 celebration committee, stated that the initiative was designed to ensure essential vaccines were accessible to local livestock owners. “We maintained an ample supply of vaccines to ensure that anyone could bring their goats for treatment free of cost,” he said.
The university’s programme commenced at 10:00 am with a rally starting from the Convocation Square. Over a hundred students from the Faculty of Veterinary Science participated in the procession, which passed through the Vice-Chancellor’s residence and K.R. Market before concluding at the VTH, where a cake-cutting ceremony was held.
The event was presided over by Prof. Dr. Md. Ariful Islam, president of the celebration committee, with the Faculty of Veterinary Science’s Acting Dean, Prof. Dr. Md. Siddiqur Rahman, attending as the chief guest. Several senior faculty members, including Prof. Dr. Md. Mokbul Hossain, Prof. Dr. Md. Rafiqul Alam, and Prof. Dr. Mohammad Alam Miah, were also present.
Addressing the importance of the profession, Prof. Dr. Md. Ariful Islam emphasized the commitment of veterinarians to maintaining food quality and disease control.
“Our professional responsibility is to ensure that animal-derived products – such as milk, eggs, and meat – reach consumers free of pathogens,” he said. “We are working tirelessly to prevent the transmission of dangerous zoonotic diseases, including rabies, anthrax, and brucellosis. Ultimately, protecting animal health is essential to mitigating public health risks.”
Echoing these sentiments, Acting Dean Prof. Dr. Md. Siddiqur Rahman highlighted the intersection of animal and human well-being.
“Veterinarians are not merely clinicians for animals; they are sentinels of food security and public health. Under the ‘One Health’ concept, human, animal, and environmental health are deeply interdependent,” the Dean said.
“Our goal is to work collectively to safeguard both animal and human health, as veterinarians remain the true guardians of food safety and public health.”
