Australian Agriculture Alumni Network launched

Australian Agriculture Alumni Network, has been launched to work jointly and exchange research that will help uplift the sector in Pakistan. The launching ceremony was held at a local hotel with Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan as chief guest and First Secretary in Development Cooperation Section of Australian High Commission, Islamabad Dave Preston was represented the Australian High Commission. The network is a group of Pakistanis scholars got degrees from Australia in agriculture, water and livestock & dairy development. Addressing the launching ceremony, Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that Pakistan has many things to learn from Australians as they have transformed their agriculture and livestock sectors, and also ensured prudent use of water in irrigation and domestic level. He said in such a consortium of 7 countries, UAF has so far disbursed 40 masters and PhD scholarships. Referring towards devastating flood of 2010, he said that UAF students’ relief and rehabilitation work had provoked the Vice Chancellor, University of Western Australia to announce two flood scholarships for UAF students. First Secretary in Development Cooperation Section of Australian High Commission, Islamabad Mr. Dave Preston representing Australian High Commissioner, said that Australia and Pakistan have a long-standing friendship build on a common heritage, shared interests, and growing people to people links that is demonstrated clearly through the number of Pakistani students choosing to enroll in Australian Universities and particularly so with those enrolling in agriculturally related fields. Mr. Peter Hog said that various Australian R&D organizations are working with their international partners and undertaking number of projects. He said that such networking help to translate the learning into practical actions. He urged the members of new alumni network to make it a vibrant platform. Dr. Munawar Raza Kazmi Country Manager, Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research at Australian High Commission, Islamabad said that since 2012 the number of Pakistani students enrolled in Australia’s universities and educational institutions have been on rise as it was 11000 in 2012 which is now 15000 students in 2016.