Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan along with UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali inaugurates the Teaching Research Computing Facility at UAF

FAISALABAD April 17: Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan on Friday said that agricultural scientists must undertake tangle research initiatives and develop high-yield varieties to ensure food security and tackle challenges including climate changes, water scarcity and others. He expressed these views during a visit to the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF), where he inaugurated the Teaching Research Computing Facility at the Faculty of Sciences and addressed faculty members at the New Senate Hall. Expressing concern over the agricultural imports, the Governor said that despite being an agricultural nation, the country imports billions of rupees worth of agricultural commodities annually. He said that the nature has blessed with four seasons, ecosystem and talented people. He called for pacing up the efforts to increase the per acre productivity. Talking about the Computing Facility, the Governor remarked that the donation of 1,000 computers by TT Global Foundation to the university is a commendable act that will enhance education and research. He said that the government is striving hard to provide state-of the-art facilities and enhance public-private partnerships to address the challenges. He also praised the education-friendly efforts of TT Global Foundation CEO, Faisal Shehzad and UAF Vice Chancellor, Dr. Zulfiqar Ali. On the geopolitical front, he highlighted that the world recognizes the commendable role of Armed forces and Pakistani government in the U.S.-Iran conflict to bring peace in the region, earning the country international acclaim. He praised the services of President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, saying that the peace would also lead to foreign investment and new avenues of development in the country. Vice Chancellor Dr. Zulfiqar Ali highlighted the university's academic excellence, noting that 48 UAF scientists are ranked among the top 2 percent scientists of the globe. He shared that the university has strengthened its global reputation by securing the 33rd position in the subject of Agriculture and Forestry according to the QS Rankings. Additionally, the university secured the 61st position in Veterinary Science worldwide. The Vice Chancellor praised the government’s education-friendly policies and stressed that digitalization has become a vital necessity for development in the modern era. He expressed gratitude to the TT Global Foundation for its support and commended Dr. Waseem Akram, Chairman of Entomology, UAF services in this regard. He said that active measures are being taken to improve the student-teacher ratio at the university and ensure quality education and research works.