Renowned soil scientist and University of Agriculture Faisalabad Faculty of Agriculture Dean Professor Dr. M. Arshad (Tamgha-i-Imtiaz) has passed away at the age of 59 years. He died of heart attack at his residence in People's Colony

Renowned soil scientist and University of Agriculture Faisalabad Faculty of Agriculture Dean Professor Dr. M. Arshad (Tamgha-i-Imtiaz) has passed away at the age of 59 years. He died of heart attack at his residence in People's Colony . His funeral prayer is offered at Technical High School’s Mosque, People’s Colony, Faisalabad after Isha prayer on Saturday. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan termed the demise the great loss to agriculture sector and UAF community that cannot be fulfilled. He added that his services for the cause of agricultural sector, education and research would be remembered forever. Dr. Arshad had got the Ph.D. in Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry from the University of California, Riverside, CA, USA. Dr Arshad has more than 33 years experience of teaching and research. He is one of the pioneers who introduced the concept of utilizing microbially produced plant growth regulators for the betterment of crop production. He prepared a “Rice Biofert” containing microbially derived plant growth promoting substances. He has developed an effective bioremediation biotechnology for the pesticides-polluted soil and water environments. He has also developed novel biofertilizers to improve the yield of crops. Dr. Arshad has been declared “Best Scientist in Agriculture for the Year 2001” by the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, Islamabad and he received “Best University Teachers Award for the Year 2003” from Higher Education Commission, Islamabad. In recognition of outstanding performance in education and research, Dr. Arshad has been decorated with National Civil Award “Tamgha-i-Imtiaz 2005” by the President of Pakistan. He has also been awarded best performance shield by the President of Pakistan on the eve of Centennial Celebrations of the University. Currently, he was working as Dean Faculty of Agriculture, UAF. He has worked as Director, Center for Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (1998-2000). Also, he was assigned the responsibility of the Director, Center for Agricultural Genetics and Saline Agriculture (1998-99). He also acted as Senior Tutor during 1997-2000. He has also worked as Director, Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Besides contribution of more than 200 research papers/proceedings/technical reports/abstracts at national level, Dr. Arshad has published more than 100 research articles in foreign refereed impact factor journals which earned for him an impact factor of over 200 and more than 600 citations. Professor Arshad successfully produced 16 Ph.D. scholars as major supervisor and 17 as co-supervisor. Eight more scholars are currently pursuing their Ph.D. under his direct guidance.