Like other parts of the country, Independence Day on Friday was celebrated at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad with traditional zeal and enthusiasm.

Like other parts of the country, Independence Day on Friday was celebrated at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad with traditional zeal and enthusiasm. Special programmes were arranged to pay homage to the sacrifices of freedom fighters and jack up the spirit of devotion and dedication towards progress. The day began with the special prayers for the progress of the country at Jamia Masjid, UAF . The flag hoisting ceremony was administrated by UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan at Iqbal Auditorium. The Vice Chancellor said the day reminds us great sacrifices under unprecedented freedom movement led by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah that resulted in emergence of an independent Muslim state on the map of the world. It is, now, our duty to work dedicatedly for the progress of our homeland. He was of the view that message of Allama Iqbal and Quaid-Azam must be spread among the people in order to make prosperity in every field of life. He called for becoming good citizen and good workers. The education is the imperative for the uplift of the country, he said, adding that we have to promote the education in every corner of Pakistan. He said that for the first time in its history, the UAF has developed a comprehensive action plan UAF Vision 2030 to achieve a sustainable agriculture through its three cornerstones: learning, discovery and outreach. As many as 23,000 students are studying this year whereas the enrollments will touch to 30,000 students by 2030. He said USAID funded Center for Advanced Studies (Food Security and Agriculture) had been set up at the campus. The university houses a satellite unit of a German funded International Center for Development and Decent Work (ICDD) to fight against global hunger and poverty through research and education. He said that the UAF, in 2014, recruited 130 teaching staff and this year, 103 trained and highly qualified teachers had been recruited in order to lower down the teacher-students ratio. He said that UAF had strengthen its outreach programme to transform the knowledge into goods and services. He said that the UAF is the branded university meant for food security and rural development. He said that the more than 42 new degree programmes has been added in the recent years. It is offering 165 degree programmes in line with the international trends and needs. He also praised the steps being taken on the part of Government for the cause of education by ensuring quality education. He also thanked Punjab Government for the establishment of 1000 girls hostel at UAF. He also thanked the Punjab Chief Minister for 300 foreign scholarship to the UAF that will bring result in provided the trained manpower in the field/ He said that University Community College has been set up at the PARS Campus under which the system of accepting students after 10th grade has been restored. Five new hostels have been established at PARS whereas 35 new residential units have been set up for the faculty Principal Officer, Public Relations and Publications, Prof Dr Jalal Arif urged the students and staff to turn all stones to cope with the challenges of our homeland. He said food security is the major challenge in the field of agriculture. He said that the UAF has been opening up new chapters of glory to ensure food especially for the last six years. He said that in the recent past, the French Government had also decorated UAF with Palmes Academiques (Highest French Civil Academic Award) in recognition of his services for education and research. .He said that the UAF had emerged ever first university in the country which is standing among top 100 university of the globe that is the honour for the country. Deputy Registrar PRP Syed Qamar Bukhari also spoke on the occasion. At the ceremony, cash prizes and shields were also conferred upon the two talented Laboratory High Girls School students who secured two positions in matriculation board results. Fatima Mehmood of Science Group got 1076 marks and secured second position in the board; Khadija with 1015 marks got third position in general group. The students of UAF run Laboratory School System and Day Care Centre presented the mili nagmas and skits before the audience, depicting the color of love for the country and giving the message of peace with the promotion of tolerance among the society.