LAHORE: Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development Department (L&DD), in collaboration with University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), conducted the concluding ceremony of the two-month mandatory training course of L&DD officers for their promotion from BPS-18 to BPS-19 on Saturday. According to details, 70 officers of grade BPS-18 participated from different districts of Punjab and completed their course in the first group of mandatory eight-week long training schedule. During the course, 49 officers from animal health, 16 officers from Directorate of Breed Improvement, three officers from Veterinary Research Institute and two officers from Poultry Research Institute, Rawalpindi participated. Punjab L&DD Secretary Nasim Sadiq presided over the concluding session of the training and distributed certificates among the participants. UVAS Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha was also present on the occasion. The purpose of the training course was to develop professional skills and expertise of the officers besides sensitising them with latest technology. During the two-month training, officers were trained on professional competence, office and financial management, leadership, human resource management, behaviour, negotiation, presentation and communication skills. Sadiq said that the aim of the training was to improve and refresh the technical, management and financial knowledge of L&DD officers of BPS-18 throughout Punjab. He thanked UVAS for conducting the training and providing a conducive platform for learning about innovative and practical knowledge. He said that such type of trainings were effective for developing the knowledge of officers, as it gave them a chance to share practical knowledge and experiences with each other. He assured the participants that in future similar trainings would be arranged twice a year for enhancing L&DD staff competencies. Speaking on the occasion, UVAS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha said that doors of UVAS were always opened to help the people seeking technical and research assistance for the upliftment of livestock sector. He said such trainings must bring competency in their professional work, and advised participants to apply knowledge, which they learnt from this training, in their practical fields/offices. UVAS Life Sciences Business Management Dean Faculty Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad, Livestock Farm Director Dr Abdul Rehman, L&DD Breeding Authority Registrar Dr Asif Salman Sahi, L&DD Training Coordinator Dr Asif Rafique and a large number of participants were present in the concluding ceremony.