US expert on Thursday called for initiating a culture of philanthropy in education to promote education and research sector to produce the trained manpower and finding the solutions to the issues of common man.

US expert on Thursday called for initiating a culture of philanthropy in education to promote education and research sector to produce the trained manpower and finding the solutions to the issues of common man. University of California College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences USA Director Patrick Nolan addressed the seminar titled initiating a culture of philanthropy: a review of current fundraising practices arranged by Centre for Advanced Studies (CAS) in Agriculture and Food Security, University of Agriculture Faisalabad at New Senate Hall. CAS Chief of Party Dr Bahsir Ahmad, Directorate of Financial Assistance and University Advancement Director Dr Hafeez Sadaqat and US scientist Dr Nancy also spoke on the occasion. He said that every household was spending 2,974 dollar as charity, accounting to 358 billion dollar annually. He said that in the United States, education was the second largest area where fund raising was being spent. He said that in the United States, during a year, 54 billion was being spent on the education as philanthropy. He urged the universities to provide the solution of the common man. He said if someone spends on research or education. Its impact will be multiplied. He urged the scientists to develop the priorities areas for the research in their respective areas to address the problems of the common man. Dr Bahsir Ahmad said that CAS worth 30 million dollar project was meant for building the cohesive scientific community and provide a suitable platform to enable cutting edge agricultural research with the help of five chairs including Climate Changes; Agriculture Policies, Biotechnology; Outreach and Precision Agriculture. He said that out of 80 PhDs scholarships, 56 % scholarships is awarded to students. Prof Dr Hafeez Ahmad Sadaqat said that financial assistance to needy and deserving Students is extended in different forms that include scholarship program, Internship Program, Work-Study Program, Student Loan Scheme; Tuition Fee Concession and the facility to deposit dues in installments for financially constraint students. Dr Nancy stressed upon the need to expedite the efforts on the part of academia, researchers and other stakeholders for the cause of food insecurity. She said that in Pakistan, the poverty alleviation was linked to agriculture sector.