GSRB meeting

FAISALABAD Dec 20: The country is grappling with agricultural challenges for which researchers should pace up problem-solving research work meant for ensuring food security, and make the agriculture a profitable profession, said UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Sarwar Khan. He chaired the Graduate Studies Research Board meeting at Syndicate Room. Director Graduate Studies Dr Muhammad Khalid Bashir presented the agenda. The meeting also recommended to launch PhD Rural Development Program that will help address the different rural issues of the country. Prof Dr Muhammad Sarwar Khan said that the university has also initiated industry linkages course for PhD students in which they will spend some months with industry/Farmers/stakeholders to identify real agrarian problems for research purposes. He added that the sector was in the grip of the different issues including low productivity, deteriorating soil health, water scarcity, ever-increasing population, lack of modern implements, and others. If the issues were not addressed, it would aggravate food insecurity. He also directed to hone the entrepreneurship skills of the students that will make them job provider rather than job seekers. He said that the university was making all-out efforts to produce skilled manpower. He said that during the wheat campaign, the university students led by experts visited five divisions of the province for two weeks last month. It helped inform the farmers about latest trends and get firsthand knowledge of farmers’ problems. All deans /directors, Registrar Tariq Mahmud Gill, Controller Muhammad Tariq, Dr Khalid Hussain from Ayub Research, Dr Sajjad from NIAB and others notables spoke on the occasion. Dr Khalid Bashir said that university is ensuring quality education, tangible researches, innovation and critical thinking for a bright future.