Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan presents memento to UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Science Bureau Deputy Director Dr Shahbaz Khan

The University of Agriculture Faisalabad will send 50 PhD scholars to abroad under the first phase of Punjab Chief Minister’s initiatives Punjab Education Endowment Fund (PEEF) in order to strengthen the agriculture sector. It is the first phase of 300 foreign scholarships for UAF under the CM steps to brace the country for agricultural challenges including food security. Moreover, the University of California, Davis also announced 15 scholarships in the area of agriculture. In this regard, a ceremony was held at Iqbal Auditorium, University of Agriculture Faisalabad that was chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan in which students were given the awareness about prerequisites for getting. Prof Dr Thomas L Rost from the University of California Davis, USA, Dr Jerry Peters from Purdue University, USA, Dr Grant Dewell from Iowa State University, Dr Chuck Schuster from the University of Maryland, USA, Dr Chris Pannkuk from Washington State University, Dr Akram Bhatti from Australia, Director External Linkages Dr Ashfaq Ahmad Chatta also spoke on the occasion. Addressing on the occasion, Prof Dr Iqrar thanked the Punjab Government and UC Davis for giving scholarships that will move the country to the new horizon of progress. He said that agriculture was the backbone of our economy. Around 45 percent of labour force is associated with the sector. The University believes on diversification of the knowledge. Half of teaching staff of the varsity is foreign qualified. He said that it is the need of the hour to transfer the knowledge into goods and service that will help in making progress. He said that the university research portfolio has touched to Rs 2 billion which was only Rs 4 million four year ago. Dr Thomas said that UC Davis is offering 99 number of undergraduate majors; 90 number of graduate programs; 10 million number of items the University Library patrons have access including books, journals, music, maps, etc. in print and digital formats. He said the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis is producing a better world, healthier lives, and an improved standard of living for everyone. He said it addresses critical issues related to agriculture, food systems, the environment, and human and social sciences. Dr Chris Pannkuk said that Washington States University ten professors had served the University of Agriculture Faisalabad at its inception in 60s that helped the university to Prof Dr Ashfaq Chatta urged the students to prepare themselves for the scholarships by preparing the TOEFL/ IELTS etc. Dr Jerry Peters urged the students to work hard in the life. He also briefed about the Purdue University. Dr Grant Dewell said that the University of Iowa is located on a 1,900-acre campus in Iowa City on the Iowa River U.S. It is composed of is composed of 11 colleges.