From bird feed to full meal: Gadvasu hikes interns’ pay

Ludhiana: About seven months after the students of the Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) started protesting and seeking higher internship stipends, the board of management (BoM) of the vet varsity has approved the revised stipend for its vet interns. Sharing his views on the decision, vice-chancellor of the university, Dr JPS Gill stated that the meeting was held on Thursday and this approval reflects the university's continued commitment to the welfare and academic growth of its students. He revealed that the stipend will be applicable to students after the issuance of the official notification, adding that all necessary administrative procedures are being completed to ensure its smooth implementation.Vet interns at par with MBBSAs per information the internship stipend has been increased from Rs 12,000 to Rs 22,000, that the students had been demanding. They had been demanding that the stipend should be at par with the internship stipends given to MBBS students in Punjab.Dr Gill stated that internships are a crucial phase in veterinary and animal sciences education, where students gain hands-on experience in clinical practice, livestock management, and field-level problem-solving. The enhanced stipend, he said, will ease the financial burden on students during their internship period and motivate them to perform their duties with greater dedication and professionalism. He further noted that the initiative aligns with the university's vision of producing skilled, confident, and field-ready graduates who can contribute effectively to the livestock sector.Meanwhile, the varsity authorities have strongly denounced the misleading statements circulated by a section of students claiming that the university was not taking any action on the stipend issue. Clarifying the matter, Dr Gill stated that the issue had already been resolved and duly approved through proper institutional procedures. The students however said that the university administration should soon issue notification in the matter, and give clarity about the implementation date of the stipend.Bachelor of veterinary science and animal husbandry (BVSc & AH) interns the vet varsity had been demanding stipend parity with MBBS and BDS interns, who receive a monthly stipend of Rs 22,000. The students had demanded that it was a "discrimination" with them, as the students undergo the same competitive entrance process through the NEET exam, and have similar or higher workloads as well.