Srinagar, Oct 07: In a major step towards ethical and technology-driven learning, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has established the country's first Immersive Virtual Reality Lab in the field of veterinary sciences.
The lab brings together Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and 3D simulation technologies to create a virtual classroom where students can perform dissections, surgeries and diagnostic procedures with lifelike precision without using live animals.
The initiative marks a new phase in experiential learning, allowing veterinary students to explore anatomy, understand physiological functions, and practice complex procedures in a safe and repeatable environment.
Dr. Firdous Dar, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, and principal investigator of the project, said the lab aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice through simulation-based learning. He said that students can now visualise and interact with digital models of animal organs and conduct procedures virtually, gaining both confidence and competence before entering the clinical field.
"The Immersive Virtual Reality Lab ensures that learning no longer costs a life. It allows students to practice surgeries, diagnostics, and emergency procedures through realistic simulations," Dr. Dar said.
The lab houses a range of advanced simulators, including the Bovine Ultrasonographic Simulator for ultrasound training, Bovine Dystocia and Theriogenology Simulators for reproductive practice, and a Horse Venipuncture Simulator for mastering equine blood collection. It also includes a Laparoscopic Surgery Simulator, CPR Dog Simulators for emergency response, and Breath and Heart Sound Simulators for clinical diagnosis. A Digital Histological Microscope supports interactive microscopic learning.
Dr. Firdous Dar added that the virtual lab is not limited to veterinary education alone but also holds significant value for medical professionals. "The facility includes virtual human dissection, body mapping, human bio-atlas, virtual ECG, and several other human simulation tools," he said. Dr. Dar added that no medical college in Kashmir currently has such a virtual dissection setup, making the SKUAST-K lab the first in the region to offer this advanced technology.
Prof. Riaz Ahmad Shah, Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, said the initiative would indirectly benefit the farming community by producing well-trained veterinarians capable of offering better services.
"Virtual reality allows students to perform surgeries on realistic 3D models, while augmented reality can guide them during actual procedures. Better-trained vets mean safer and faster treatments, early detection of problems, and reduced losses for farmers," Prof. Shah said.