LAHORE - As many as 668 talented students of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore were given laptops under the Prime Minister’s National Youth Laptop Scheme yesterday.

MNAs Pervaiz Malik, Shaista Pervaiz Malik and Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha distributed the laptops among the students, who were selected on merit from different disciplines/departments of the UVAS.

Presenting the welcome address, the VC spoke about the academic, research, extension, training programmes and achievements of the university. He said that given it high standard of education and research, UVAS has been ranked among the top 10 universities of the country in overall ranking of Pakistani universities as well as in sports ranking by the Higher Education Commission Islamabad.

He added that the UVAS has replaced the soda cold drinks with its own flavoured pure milk on its Ravi and City campuses cafeterias to promote consumption of healthy drinks.

MNA Pervaiz Malik termed the performances of UVAS students a great display of national unity. He lauded the UVAS role in development of livestock and related sectors. Addressing the girl students, he said they should serve the country by working in their respective fields rather than sitting at home after graduation. “Knowledge is the key to success, so education is a priority of the PML-N government.”

MNA Shaista Pervaiz Malik also urged the students to contribute to national development after completing their education. She said that national development is not possible until women stand side by side with the men. “Information Technology is a tool for change, so the federal and Punjab governments of the PML-N have started the laptop schemes to equip students with IT.”

Earlier, students presented cultural performances representing Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan provinces and Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and Cholistan cultures. National songs were also presented by the students.