Brunei HC inaugurates the Lyallpur Art and Literature Festival

The University of Agriculture Faisalabad on Monday opened fourth Lyallpur Art and Literature Festival. It was inaugurated by High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam Dato Mahmud Saidin and UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan. The event is organized under the banner of Senior Tutor Office in which 25 universities are taking part. The Festival featured different events including the Qirat and Naat and Essay Competition, Bilingual Declamation, Essay Competition, Bait Bazi contest, Model United Nations (MUN), folk songs and dance contest, drama and documentary contests and Photography contests. Brunei Darussalam Dato Mahmud Saidin the festival will help the students to give voice to their abilities and to present it before the people. Talking about both countries relations, he said that bilateral ties were being further strengthened to get benefit from each experiences. He stressed upon the need to pace up efforts for the cause of food security. He was of the view that main production of Brunei was oil and gas whereas the share of agriculture was very low. Brunei was not having fertile land, he said, adding that they were focusing on development of rice crop in his country. He was of the view that Pakistan was producing the delicious fruits and agriculture which must tap the potential in international markets. Pakistani fruits can compete with the world. He said that Pakistan agri export to Brunie was facing the high cost of transportation. He added that Pakistan mango, citrus apricot were in the high demand due to its taste, aroma and deliciousness. He said that many Pakistani students were studying on scholarship in Brunei. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan stressed upon the need to boost up academic and agricultural ties among the both nation to get benefitted. He said that the agriculture was the backbone of our economy and the poverty alleviation was directly linked to the sector. He said that the UAF was enjoying the excellent relations with the world and offering the Joint degree programme with Dalhousie University Canada. He said that enhanced academic ties with Brunei would open up new avenue of the progress. He said that the festival would provide a platform to the students to excel in life. On March 29, Punjab Takarra will be held at 9:00 am at Iqbal Auditorium, and Essay Competition at New Senate Hall at 9:00am while Bilingual Declamation final round at Iqbal Auditorium at 3:00 pm and Bait Bazi contest will be held at 3:00 pm at New Senate Hall. On March 30, Quiz Contest will be held at 9:00 am at Iqbal Auditorium while the Model United Nations (MUN) will be held at 9:00 am at Video Conference while Bait Bazi Contest will be held at 3:00 pm at Iqbal Auditorium. On March 31, sufi songs contest will be held at Iqbal Auditorium at 9:00 am at Iqbal Auditorium; MUN at 9:00 am at Video Conference Room, painting competition at 9:00 am; folk dance at 12:00 pm, drama competition at Iqbal Auditorium at 3:00 pm at Iqbal Auditorium and short film and documentary contest at 3:00 pm On April 1, drama, documentaries and thermal photography contests will begin at 9:00 am at Iqbal Auditorium, MUN will commence at Video Conference Room at 9:00 am, photography contest at New Senate Hall at 2:00 am and closing ceremony will be held at 5:00 pm.