Agrilife24.com:A crucial virtual meeting of the VECTORACT Project, an Erasmus+ funded initiative, was held today (03 April) via Google Meet at 2:00 PM (Bangladesh Time). The session convened global and local experts to strengthen Bangladesh’s capacity in monitoring, assessing, and mitigating vector-borne disease risks.
The meeting was chaired by Prof. Gábor Kemenesi from the University of Pécs, Hungary, with the project coordinated by Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Hungary . Beneficiary institutions include the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (Vetmeduni), Austria, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU), Bangladesh, and the University of Rajshahi (RU), Bangladesh.
Experts from Bangladesh included Prof. Dr. Md. Jalal Uddin Sarder (RU), Prof. Dr. Abdulla Al Mamun Bhuyan (RU), Dr. Md. Hemayatul Islam (RU), Prof. Dr. Shahneaz Ali Khan (CVASU), and Md. Nurul Islam (USA-based collaborator). European participants includedHans-Peter Fuehrer (Vetmeduni), Kornelia Kurucz (ELTE), Lindhorst Zoe (Vetmeduni), and Abderrezag Samir (Public Health Expert).
The VECTORACT Project (Project ID: 101083215) aims to:
🔹 Enhance practical and theoretical knowledge on vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, and Zika.
🔹 Develop local expertise in vector surveillance, molecular analysis, and risk mitigation.
🔹 Strengthen EU-Bangladesh collaboration in public health research.
Next Steps Launch of open-access training modules on VECTORACT’s website. Fieldwork initiatives in Rajshahi and Chittagong (May–June 2025). Hands-on training for Bangladeshi researchers at CVASU and RU. Prof. Gábor Kemenesi, Meeting Chair said this project bridges gaps between academia and field practice to save lives from vector-borne diseases. Professor Dr. Md. Jalal Uddin Sarder said Bangladesh’s climate makes it a hotspot for vector-borne diseases. So, VECTORACT will empower local scientists.”
Prof. Gábor Kemenesi, meeting chair, emphasized that the project will bridge gaps between academia and field practice to save lives from vector-borne diseases. Prof. Dr. Md. Jalal Uddin Sarder highlighted Bangladesh’s vulnerability due to its climate and stated that VECTORACT will empower local scientists to combat these threats effectively.
