ICAR-NIVEDI, Bengaluru Organizes XXXI Annual Convention of the Indian Society for VIBCON 2026

23–25 September 2026, Bengaluru

ICAR- National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics, Bengaluru, hosted the XXXI Annual Convention of the Indian Society for Veterinary Immunology & Biotechnology and International Conference (VIBCON 2026) from 23–25 September 2026, bringing together scientists, policymakers and industry to advance animal health and production through biotechnology and disease intelligence. The conference was inaugurated today in the presence of national and international dignitaries and delegates.

The Chief Guest of the ceremony, Prof. (Dr) Mandeep Sharma, Vice Chancellor, NDVSU, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, highlighted the relevance of biotechnological tools for enhancing the livestock productivity in the challenging scenario and making indigenous technologies for ‘Viksit Bharat-2047’. Further, he stated, innovate locally and collaborate globally to address the challenges of assuring food security.

The Guest of Honour, Dr Yashpal Singh Mallik, Deputy Director General (Education), ICAR, stressed on integration of advanced technologies like AI &ML as well as biotechnological tools in academic curriculum as well as research activities to address challenges faced by livestock sector. In addition, he also mentioned key initiative undertaken by the Education division of ICAR.

Another Guest of Honour, Dr Jatinder Paul Singh Gill, Vice Chancellor, GADVASU, Ludhiana, Punjab, highlighted the intervention of biotechnological tools in advanced breeding techniques to enhance the genetic potential of livestock for disease resistance and higher productivity.

On the occasion Dr B. R Gulati, Director, ICAR-NIVEDI and President and Chairman VIBCON-2026, called upon the young researchers/students to get motivated and inspired by the key note/lead lectures as well as scientific deliberations under various sessions to address challenges of animal Health.

A total of 10 Scientific sessions along with 2 special sessions were centered around the thematic  of the conference, that is "Transforming Animal Health and Production Systems through Smart Biotechnology Innovations and Disease Intelligence," in the three-day convention that brought together researchers, academicians, veterinary and animal science professionals, biotechnologists, industry representatives, policymakers, research scholars and students to deliberate on how emerging technologies are reshaping the diagnosis, prevention and management of animal diseases and strengthening livestock production systems.

The conference witnessed the presence of leading national and international experts to deliberate on emerging advances in veterinary biotechnology, disease intelligence, immunology, diagnostics, vaccines, epidemiology and animal health systems.

The international delegates included Dr Vivek Kapur Professor, Penn State University, USA; Dr Sagar Goyal Professor, University of Minnesota, USA; Dr Polly Roy Professor, University of South Florida, USA; Dr Jonathan Rushton Chair of Economics of Animal Health, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, UK; Dr Nagendra Singanallur Senior Research Scientist, CSIRO, Australia. The internation delegates participated in plenary session.

On the occasion, Dr S. Manoharan, Secretary, ISVIB; Director, Centre for Animal Health Studies, TANUVAS, highlighted the activities taken by the society and distributed the notable awards like Oration award, and ISVIB Fellow to the candidates.

The conference will continue for next two days with two special sessions including one session on ‘Industry Meet/Conclave & Farmer–Industry–Academia Collaboration for Biotechnology Adoption’ and anther session on ‘Control & Eradication of Transboundary Animal Disease Program’.  

The conference was attended by over 200 delegates from different parts of India.

(Source: ICAR - National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics, Bengaluru)