Who we are

Nitish C Debnath

Board Member, International Association for Ecology & Health
Professor of Microbiology, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU), Bangladesh

Professor Nitish C Debnath was the founder Vice Chancellor of Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University(CVASU), Bangladesh. In 2010, after completing his four year tenure as Vice Chancellor, he returned to the Deparment of Microbiology of CVASU to continue his job as professor. He graduated with a DVM from Bangladesh Agricultural University, an MSc in Tropical Veterinary Medicine from the University of Edinburgh, and a PhD in animal virology from the University of Surrey. He spent 18 years as veterinary researcher in the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute and the Department of Livestock Services. In 1996, he moved into a newly founded Chittagong Government Veterinary College (CGVC) as Vice Principal and then became Principal. He led the development of the new veterinary school with a new undergraduate curriculum having elements of a 40 week work-based learning program and emphasis on animal production studies. Under his tenure, CGVC developed a strong partnership with the Royal Veterinary College, London; Madras Veterinary College, India; and University of Copenhagen, Denmark. In 2006 CGVC was transformed to Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, and Dr Debnath was appointed as its founder Vice Chancellor. He has extensive experience in developing research programs, having led the establishment of Poultry and Livestock Research Centre (PRTC) at CVASU with support of DANIDA and chaired a zoonosis research group. He pioneered a One Health movement in Bangladesh, jointly with medical and environmental scientists, and launched a new professional organization called One World One Health Bangladesh Initiative (One Health Bangladesh). He has been chairing One health Bangladesh for the last three years and organized three international conferences at CVASU on One Health. His leading role in research and educational networking and collaboration with RVC London, University of Copenhagen, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, EcoHealth Alliance, CDC, Commonwealth Veterinary Association, DANIDA, DFID and British Council. His interests lie in virology, one health, and veterinary public health teaching and research. He has published more than 40 research articles in peer reviewed journals and made many scientific presentations in many national and international scientific forums. As of August 2011, he has a taken short leave from the University to work for the Food and Agriculture Organization as a National Consultant. He has been involved with many professional organizations and served as President of Bangladesh Veterinary Council and now serving as President of Krishibid (Agricultural Graduates) Institution-Bangladesh.