Prof. Dr. Seung-Woo from University of Yenugnam, Korea and University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan pose for a photograph after signing MoU

Korean expert on Monday said Pakistan had the potential of becoming world 12th largest economy. The development and poverty alleviation in Pakistan can be achieved by focusing on Gross Root Level with active participation of all segments of society in order to change the mindset of people. Prof Dr Seung-Woo, Dean Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saumaul, University of Yenugnam, Korea addressed the high ranked officials of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad as chief guest at Syndicate Room. The session was presided over by UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan. At the event, University of Yenugnam, Korea and UAF also inked a memorandum of understanding to collaborate in the areas of research, knowledge exchange programme for rural and agriculture development aimed at poverty alleviation from the country. Prof Dr Seung-Woo said that Pakistan is enriched in its culture and blessed with good cropping system. He said that agricultural being the backbone of the economy of the country is contributing more than 20 percent to the Gross Domestic Product and providing 45 percent of the Labour Force. He was of the view that the Korean model of development, if adopted, can move the country to the height of the progress. In the 1960 and 1970, the rural people of Korea were underdeveloped. The model focused on education, rural development, self reliance, diligence and the change in the mindset of the people to achieve the progress goal. He said that mental reforms were the most significant feature of the model which encouraged the people to think out the box and find the solutions to their problems with the polished mindset. Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan stressed the need to adopt the modern pattern of agriculture to increase the agricultural productivity. He said that the food security is the one of the areas of the concerns. Most of the population of the country was living in the rural areas and associated with the agriculture sector. If we adopt the latest methods of agriculture, it will not only boost up the agriculture production but also help in poverty alleviation. He said that the UAF was especially working on the rural development. He said that the change in mindset and technological advancement were the need of the hour to face the challenges of 21st century. He briefed that the university had expedited its outreach programme to raise the awareness among the farming community.