Punjab Governor Mohammad Sarwar has said that agriculture sector being the essential component of Pakistan economy has the full potential to devise strategies for poverty alleviation

Punjab Governor Mohammad Sarwar has said that agriculture sector being the essential component of Pakistan economy has the full potential to devise strategies for poverty alleviationIn his message, read by Chancellor/ Governor’s nominee Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan Vice Chancellor on the 20th Convocation of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, the governor said that innovation and modern agriculture hold the key for the development, prosperity and uplift. He congratulated the students to get their degrees from the UAF, which has been ranked 98th best university of the Globe in the agricultural sciences. He hoped that graduating professional by the virtue of their expertise will make their contribution in streamlining our agriculture in line with international standards to ensure food security. He said that the education has the power to implant the ethos of a nation through the reinforcement of the national goals. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan congratulated the students and wished them all the best for the future. He said the future is in the hands of these young and confident graduates. He said they (graduates) will be the harbingers of cutting edge initiatives to deal with challenges facing the world. He advised the students to sell your brains and prove their mettle in their respective field. He urged them to become the hard work that was the key for the progress. He said the university since its inception in 1961, has produced around 57,000 graduates including 1,080 PhDs who are working day and night for the uplift of this country. In 2013, as many as 16,000 students are enrolled here in the degree programs. Additionally, the campus is home to more than 200 skill development programs and the place is humming with activity to support an active outreach agenda. He said the UAF has revamped academic, research and outreach programs and has introduced as many as 32 new Degree Programs in the recent years in order to produce demand-driven manpower. He said that the varsity had also opened satellite campuses in different districts including Toba Tek Singh, Burewala and DG Khan to provide quality education to the dwellers at their doorstep. More sub-campuses and outreach centers are being proposed to the government. He also lauded Punjab Government for taking tangible initiatives for education and agriculture sectors which, he termed, a guarantee for the bright future. Controller Examination Shafqat Iqbal said more than 12,000 graduates of four years 2009, 2010, 2011and 2012 including 283 PhDs were being awarded degrees. The position holders are decorated with 144 medals. It is happening first time in the university history that 12,000 graduates are being awarded degrees and medals in one go. Earlier, Registrar Ch Muhammad Hussain led the academic procession included all deans, professors and members of academic council. Nigerian High Commissioner Dauda Danladi, MPA Rao Kashif Rahim, Former Agriculture Minister Sultan Ali Ch. and Hassan Ali Chaniho, Chairman Pakistan Horticulture Development and Commerce also spoke on the occasion. Hafeez Sultan Ch and Mrs Rukhsana Ch presented Rs 5 lakh rupees cheque to the University.