RAJSHAHI, June 12, 2026 (BSS) - The University of Rajshahi (RU) on Thursday handed over the "Master Seed" of a vaccine developed for Newcastle disease, a major viral infection affecting poultry, to the Department of Livestock Services (DLS).

The handover ceremony was held at the conference room of the university's Administration Building-1 with Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Faridul Islam attending as the chief guest.

On behalf of the DLS under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the vaccine master seed was received by Rajshahi Divisional Livestock Office Director Dr Ananda Kumar Adhikari and Principal Scientific Officer of the Newcastle Vaccine Division at the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute Dr Tahmina Begum.

Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor described the development of the vaccine as a significant achievement of RU's research activities and expressed hope that it would help reduce poultry losses caused by Newcastle disease across the country.

He also highlighted the potential for stronger industry-academia collaboration, saying support from public and private sector organizations could accelerate innovative research and enable the country to develop essential technologies domestically.

Pro-Vice-Chancellors Prof Md Abdul Alim and Prof Mamunur Rashid, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Dean Prof Khandaker Md Mozzafar Hossain, Treasurer Prof Md Matiar Rahman, Registrar Prof Iftikharul Alam Masud and other officials were present.

The programme was chaired by project director Dr Shashi Ahmed.