BCL threatens to disrupt CVASU science confce

A three-day scientific conference titled '8th Annual International Scientific Conference 2010' will begin here on September 23 with a view to creating network for implementing One World One Health.
Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU) and One World, One Health: Bangladesh Initiative are jointly organising the conference at Hotel Agrabad in association with Danida, DFID, British Council, Regional Fisheries and Livestock Development Component.
The theme of this year's conference is 'Networking for Promoting Change Towards One World One Health'.
Meanwhile, activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League CVASU unit, who enforced indefinite siege on the campus since August 29 demanding resignation of CVASU Vice Chancellor Dr Nitish Chandra Devnath and withdrawal of authorities' decisions to expel and punish nine of their leaders and activists, yesterday threatened to resist the conference.
The vice chancellor, however, has expressed hope to arrange the conference peacefully with the help of law enforcement agencies and other government agencies.
"This year's conference is significantly important in the wake of different animal borne diseases like anthrax, swine flu, avian influenza and Nipa Virus that broke out across the world in recent years," Dr Nitish Chandra said at a press conference held at his office yesterday afternoon.
A number of foreign scientists from different countries like UK, USA, Denmark, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal are expected to participate at the conference to present their research articles, he said.
Besides, around 350 researchers, scientists, educationists and biologists from different public universities of the country and environmentalists, professionals, NGO activists, development workers and representatives of donor agencies will participate at the conference, organisers said.
Around 40 key-note papers and research articles including three papers on anthrax, four on avian influenza, three on Nipah virus, ten on other diseases and six on food security will be presented at eight different sessions of the conference.
The Prime Minister's Health Adviser Prof Dr Syed Modasser Ali is scheduled to inaugurate the conference where Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdul Latif Biswas will be the chief guest.
Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr Afsarul Ameen will be present as chief guest at the concluding ceremony of the conference, said the organisers.
A two-day workshop on 'Veterinary Education in South Asia: New Approaches to Teaching and Learning for Evolving Scenario' will also begin at the same venue on September 21.