UNIDO International Expert Dr Ian Goulding calls on UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan at VC Chamber

The University of Agriculture Faisalabad in collaboration with the United Nation Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) will kick off Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Food Safety and Control under the European Union funded Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) II Programme to develop human resource for food sector. The programme will be launched at the UAF’s National Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFSAT). It was revealed at a meeting held between UNIDO International Expert Dr Ian Goulding and UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan at VC Chamber on Wednesday. UNIDO expert Muhammad Aurangzaib and NIFSAT Director General Prof Dr Faqir Muhammad Anjum were also present on the occasion. Dr. Ian Goulding said that his organistion was already working with the Horticulture Department, UAF, in a project on mango and kinnow post-harvest practices. Under the project, they will train a batch of 40 trainers regarding the practices and state-of-the-art researches in a bid to enhance the capacity of the people. He said that the project worth US $ 50,000 was funded by EU programme TRTA II. He said that they would start the PGD in three universities including UAF across the country. He added that under the diploma, they would provide 25,000 euro financial assistance to run the one year PGD smoothly. Besides it, 10,000 euro will be spent on books etc. He said that the projects were aimed at improving agricultural post harvest practices to make the country food secure and ensure export of the agricultural products after meeting local demand. He said that they were already working with the Ministry of Food Security to improve supply chain management in Pakistan. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan lauding the steps being taken on the part of the donor assured them of leaving no stone unturned to equip the trainees with the skills in food safety. He said that the food safety was one of the major concerns of the country. He also stressed the need to equip the food inspectors with latest food safety techniques and practices in order to meet the food challenges. He said that the university was best university in the field of agriculture across the country and taking every possible step to increase the productivity of the country by trained manpower, researches and outreach programmers.