Latest news with #IqrarAhmadKhan
Business Recorder
05-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
‘R&D clusters to be set up in Punjab's varsities'
FAISALABAD: Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) Chairperson Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan on Friday said that research and development clusters will be set up in order to integrate R&D strength among all universities of the Punjab. He chaired Vice Chancellors meeting at Syndicate Room, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF). UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali, GCUF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Rauf-i-Azam, GCWUF Vice Chancellor Prof DrKanwal Ameen, Vice Chancellors of different universities including Dr Faheem Aftab, Dr Zafar Ali Ch, Dr Yasir Nawab, Dr Zubair, Dr Bushra Mirza, Dr Saeed, Dr Ashfaq, Dr Sajjad Mubin and others also attended. Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said it is prerequisite to break the silos among the scientists of universities to ensure national development based on knowledge economy. He directed the Vice Chancellor to propose research centers in collaboration with other higher education institutions. He also clarified that the clusters will be established without the bricks and mortars by finding best brains of different fields and funding will be provided to run sustainable R&D activities. He said that the centers would range from science, agriculture, engineering to arts and humanities etc. He also told the meeting that governance and institutional reforms were being made in Higher Education institutions to enhance the performance keeping the challenges in view. He also sought the recommendations from the Vice Chancellors for the said cause. He said that framework will be carried out for public private partnership for the universities that will help commercialize the latest technologies and research. He added that mushroom growth of affiliated colleges was hampering quality of education and this matter should be addressed on the part of Vice Chancellors. He also directed the universities to establish HR Office, strengthened financial aid and business Incubation centers as well. He said that they are collaborating with civil service academy for the training of Vice Chancellors and in August a week long training session will be carried out for 23 newly appointed Vice Chancellors. He also discussed establishment of dedicated honhaar units on campus to oversee scholarship activities. He said that many talented students cannot avail the opportunity of higher education due to financial constraint. The government is providing ample scholarships to enrolled students but the students from the deprived segment of the society cannot even take admission because they do not have money to pay the first fee essential to take admission. He said that the students which names appeared in merit list now be able to take admission on scholarship without paying any money and the mechanism is being evolved in this regard. He also directed higher education institutes to nominate educators for TEOSL and global open course being run by US Department of State. He also asked the Vice Chancellors to mobilize the faculty and students to avail google career certification program. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali said that the UAF has sought the proposal from the scientists for research centers especially to address food security, livestock, climate change and water etc issues. He said that institutional reforms are need of the hour in higher education to ensure the quality manpower and research. He added that the university was housing research projects with the help of international centers including Center for Advanced Studies, Pak korea Nutrition Center, Confucius Institute, Seed Center and others. Dr Rauf-i-Azam said that his institution was taking all possible measures to produce trained manpower. Prof Dr Kanwal Ameen praised the step of PHEC being taken for the reforms of education in the Punjab. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Lahore hosts Pakistan's first Farm Animal Welfare Conference
Listen to article Marking a significant milestone for animal welfare in Pakistan, the country's first-ever Farm Animal Welfare Conference concluded in Lahore with a compelling declaration. The conference urged policymakers to reform national laws and policies in accordance with Islamic values, scientific research, and international standards of animal well-being. Organized by the Pakistan Animal Rights Advocacy Group (PARAG), the one-day summit brought together leading voices from academia, veterinary sciences, law, agriculture, environmental science, and faith-based communities. Keynote addresses were delivered by Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Punjab Higher Education Commission and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, and Dr. Muhammad Arshad. Read: Animal sacrifice hits hard amid skyrocketing prices this Eid Other prominent speakers included Islamic scholar Mufti Syed Adeel, environmentalist Dr. Mahnoor Fatima, renowned veterinary expert Dr. Zahid Mehmood, animal rights lawyer Uzma Qureshi, and farmer representative Chaudhry Naeem. Speakers highlighted the multifaceted dimensions of animal welfare, advocating for humane treatment, ethical farming practices, and the need to integrate animal compassion into national values. The conference declaration voiced deep concern over outdated animal welfare laws in Pakistan and emphasized the urgent need for reforms in animal housing, farming, and slaughtering practices. It also noted a significant lack of training among farmers and slaughterhouse staff. Participants unanimously asserted that kindness to animals is not merely a moral obligation but a religious duty, reinforcing that under Article 14 of the Constitution of Pakistan, the state is responsible for upholding dignity including that of animals. Read more: Animals tug at kids' hearts Panel discussions addressed a range of critical issues including legislative reform, improved nutrition and housing for animals, Shariah-compliant slaughter methods, protection of native flora and pollinators such as bees, and hands-on farmer education. Speaking on the occasion, PARAG Chairperson Ayeza Haider emphasized that the summit marks a transformative step toward reshaping public consciousness. 'It is time we move beyond viewing animals solely as commodities. Treating them with empathy and compassion should be seen as a hallmark of a truly humane and noble society,' she said.
Business Recorder
14-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Sustainable growth: ‘Agri experts should come up with doable policy interventions'
FAISALABAD: In the face of deteriorating agriculture growth depicted in the Economic Survey of Pakistan, agricultural experts should come up with doable policy interventions for sustainable agricultural growth, said Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali, Vice Chancellor, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Addressing the concluding session of four-week Agricultural Policy Capacity Building Workshop on 'Exploring Perspectives, Analytical Tools, Emerging Trends and Effective Communication in Agriculture' at the Center for Advanced Studies (CAS) Auditorium, Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali said that the researchers should devise the policies recommendation with the special focus on productivity enhancement, crops diversification, soil health and nutrition, climate smart agriculture, sustainable markets structure, and revitalization of farmers cooperatives, to benefit the farming community and ensure food security. He said that recent Economic Survey has presented the grim picture of the sector that needs immediate attention of the scientists, industry and other stakeholders. Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairperson, Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, said that declining agriculture growth would provoke deep crises that must be addressed with research-based intervention and solid policy measures and its implementation that are crucial to feed the ever-increasing population and alleviate poverty. He called for greater role of the Universities in generating sound evidence and policy recommendations for all sectors of the economy. He quoted some social media reports of very low okra price in Kamalia on Eid-ul-Azha due to low demand compared to supply. He attributed this to lack of value addition options compared with the advance countries and emphasized on the need for research to translate into goods, services and solutions to societal issues. He said that PHEC is committed for the transformation of education and research with special focus on academic opportunities and challenges in age of Artificial Intelligence and digital transformation. Dr Muhammad Ejaz Qureshi, faculty at the Australian National University, said that the workshop is aimed at enhancing analytical, communication, and leadership capabilities in agricultural policy research; strengthen policy design and implementation skills; improve the quality of research proposals and competitive grants aligned with national development agendas; promote strategic communication through policy briefs and evidence-based storytelling; encourage an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to agricultural policy reform. Dr Qureshi appreciated the initiative of the University management for arranging such useful activities for the faculty and the students. He stressed upon the need to transfer these ideas into actions by working together to improve agriculture policies through policy research and generating evidence. Bangladesh Agriculture University Prof Dr Mohammad Jahangir Alam spoke on agribusiness and food policy, particularly addressing value chain development and nutrition security in emerging economies. He said to improve food security in developing countries, we need to build strong value chains in agriculture. Connecting farmers to the markets can help increase income and ensure better nutrition for communities. Dr Sumaira Ejaz Qureshi, faculty at University of Canberra in Australia, discussed about translating complex data into sound policy decisions through a case study of student and faculty feedback to enhance quality of education. Dr Zeena Alsamarra'I, University of Canberra explained that future of education in the era of AI and digital transformation. She focused on institutionalizing Generative AI and making sound policies so that the academic community can get benefit from positive side of AI driven technological disruption. She emphasized capacity building of faculty and the students in age of digital transformation. Prof Dr Asif Kamran, Director of Agriculture Policy and Outreach, explained that the Agriculture Policy, Law and Governance Center at UAF is committed to continuous engagement with policy think tanks and policy makers and to build the capacity of the students and faculty to conduct policy research and craft sound policy recommendations based on their research. Prof Kamran acknowledged funding support from Endowment Fund Secretariat, USDA; Pak Korea Nutrition Centre (PKNC), Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR) under CSIRO implemented project entitled 'Climate resilient and adaptive water allocation in Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
29-05-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
'Revival of cooperatives to tackle food insecurity'
Experts at an international conference held at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) have urged the revival of cooperative systems as a pathway to sustainable agricultural and rural development in Pakistan. The event was organised by the Institute of Agricultural Extension, Education and Rural Development in collaboration with the Punjab Cooperative Department. Chairman Punjab Higher Education Commission, Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, highlighted that cooperatives globally play a vital role in addressing the economic, social, and cultural needs of communities. He warned that rapid urbanization and conversion of agricultural land into housing schemes threaten food security and rural livelihoods. Cooperatives, he noted, can empower farmers by improving access to technology and increasing productivity and income. UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Zulfiqar Ali noted that 2025 has been declared the International Year of Cooperatives by the United Nations.
Express Tribune
05-04-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
California varsity, UAF to strengthen agricultural ties
California State University, Fresno and the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation aimed at addressing shared agricultural challenges through joint research, innovation, and academic exchange. The collaboration was discussed during a meeting between Associate Prof Dr Gurreet Brar of California State University and UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Zulfiqar Ali. Former UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Director Horticulture Dr Ahmad Sattar, and Dr Samar Abbas Naqvi also participated in the discussions. Dr. Brar, who visited the UAF Horticulture Department and interacted with scientists, emphasized the need for climate-smart agricultural technologies and crop diversification to meet evolving global demands. Highlighting the importance of international academic collaboration, he advocated for joint initiatives between UAF, California State University, and Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana, India. "Knowledge knows no boundaries," Dr Brar said, underscoring the importance of knowledge exchange in modern agriculture. "By working together, we can uplift the sector and meet global challenges more effectively." UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Zulfiqar Ali noted that both universities have enjoyed a long-standing academic relationship, collaborating on various international projects. He stressed the importance of modernizing agriculture to increase per-acre productivity and ensure food security. "We are actively engaged in joint initiatives with global institutions," he said, "and such partnerships are crucial for the future of sustainable agriculture." Former Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan emphasised the role of research and farmer support services in improving agricultural output. He cited India's progress under the Lyallpur Agricultural Model as an example of successful integration of academia, research, and extension services. He also raised concerns over the declining quality and yield of citrus crops in the region and called for urgent action to safeguard citrus farming.
