French Ambassador Martine Dorance on Monday called for further cementing academia and research ties between the both countries to get benefit from each other experiences.

French Ambassador Martine Dorance on Monday called for further cementing academia and research ties between the both countries to get benefit from each other experiences. She was addressing Deans and Directors meeting at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad that was chaired by UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan. She also inaugurated French Information Centre in main library of UAF. Whereas French language and cultural center is already being run at the UAF. The envoy was flanked by French Higher Education Attaché Sebastien Cartier; Cooperation Attaché Olivier Huynh-Van and Philippe Garnier. The ambassador that her country would like to have more Pakistani students in French institutions for knowledge sharing. She said that the Information center would help the students to get the information and guidelines for the admissions in the Universities in France. She said that Pakistan and France had been enjoying long term ties since 1947. Talking about climate changes, she said that the climate changes were posing a serious threat. The people must be educated about the climate changes and environment. She said that his country meteorological institute would sign MoU with Pakistan Meteorological Department. She said that her country was contributing in the fight against terrorism in order to end the menace. She viewed that French delegation comprising the members from agriculture business, food industry and halal meat will visit Pakistan that will open up new horizon of the collaboration. She added that Pakistan had the huge potential in the agriculture especially the halal meat. She added that students and teachers exchange programs between both countries will help fight the different challenges. She lauded the steps being taken on the part of the UAF for providing the quality education and research work. She also said that UAF collaboration with French institutions would be further strengthened UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar said dozen of teachers from faculty staff were graduated from French universities, who can help students with their experiences to get admission in French universities. He said that the university was enjoying the good relations across the globe. He said that French Culture Center and Chinese Confucius Center were operating at the campus that brought the people closer. He lauded the steps being taken on the French institutions especially to address the climate changes. He said that in the recent past, the Planning Commission of Pakistan has approved establishment of Korea Hi Tech Innovation Park worth 30 million dollar that will help the fight the challenges of agriculture and food security. He viewed that UAF old campus is a candidate to be declared as the UNESCO heritage. He said the UAF students of French language can be a part of the French companies functioning in our homeland. She also inaugurated Lyallpur Literature Festival in which 20 universities are taking part. the festival comprising naat, qirat, speech, drams and folk song competition will continue by April 1