Golden Jubilee Celebrations - Turkish Extension Centre to be setup at UAF

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Aneleven member delegation of senior management of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad made a seven day reciprocal visit to Turkey by accepting the invitation extended by Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TICA)through Turkish Embassy at Islamabad. At Ankara, the delegation was warmly received by highest management of Ankara University and TICA. The following delegation headed by Prof Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan Vice Chancellor visited different institutions, held meetings with officials of various agricultural, veterinary, livestockdepartmentsand met with people from Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TICA), Seed Union, Istanbul Municipality, and private sector organizations where the delegation witnessed the progress being made by the Turks and exchanged views of mutual interest from November 15-22, 2011.

  1. Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan (SI)Vice Chancellor,
  2. Prof. Dr. Laique Akbar Lodhi,Dean Faculty of Veterinary Science
  3. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sarwar (TI),Dean Faculty of Animal Husbandry
  4. Prof. Dr. ZafarIqbalQureshi (DSA),
  5. Prof. Dr. Rashid Ahmad (Director Academics),
  6. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Jalal Arif (PO PRP &ITRCDB),
  7. Prof. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad Chatha (Director External Linkages),
  8. Prof. Dr. Mahmood Ahmad Randhawa (Chairman Continuing Edu),
  9. Dr. Safdar Ali,
  10. Dr. Mehar-un-Nisa, (Asstt. Prof) and
  11. Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa (Asstt. Prof)



Made visits to (i) Centre general of the Union of Turkey’s Breeding CattleRaisers, (ii) Lalahan Central Research Institute for Animal Husbandry, (iii) Rector’s Office of Ankara University, (iv) Publishment Department of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, (v) Turkey’s National Reference Laboratory for Food, (vi) Dean’s Office, Faculty of Agriculture, (vii) Veterinary Medicine, (viii) State General Directorate for Agricultural Enterprises (TIGEM), (ix) General Directorate for Agricultural Research and Policies of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, (x) Seed Gene Bank of Turkey in company of the General Directorate for Agricultural Research and Policies, (xi) Pendik Veterinary Control and Research Institute of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, (xii) Asian Side of Istanbul, and (xiii) Sultan Ahmet Mosque (the Blue Mosque) Hagia Sophia Museum Topkapi Palace.
The UAF delegation also visited Istanbul and participated in the Fair for Seed Technologies, Seed and Sapling Raising- CNR EXPO Fair Ground, Istanbul, and Florya Recreational Facilities of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Dolmabahce Palace. The visiting delegation also participated in various receptions hosted by the management of Ankara University, TICA, Istanbul Municipality, and Seed Union.



At Ankara University, the UAF delegation was warmly received by RectorProf.Dr. Cemal TALUĞ and high management of the Ankara University. The visiting delegation held numerous meetings on the topics of mutual interest.On both sides, there was a commonality of views and vigorous intentions to mark a new chapter of close coordination and collaboration between both the institutions as a tremendous potential prevails that needs to be harnessed by making a long term and sustainable engagement of both the Universities. Both institutions of higher education made a firm commitment to submit a joint project to the Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TICA) so that to mutually get benefit from experiences of each other. According to details, besides others, the proposed joint project would also comprise on Turkish Extension Centre at University of Agriculture, Faisalabad- Pakistan. The Extension Centre would have (i) Establishment of a state of the art Publishment House at UAF equipped with all communication and printing facilities, (ii) Reference Food Laboratory, (iii) Embario Transfer Techniques,(iv)Seed and Gene Bank, (v) Plant Clinic/Diagnostic Lab, (vi) Short Courses and Bilingual Centre, and (vii) Faculty Exchange Program.



During the meeting and visits both Universities expressed willingness to have a close liaison with each other and looking forward to jointly work on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science. It is pertinent to mention here that during a wholesome meeting of UAF delegation with Rector of the Ankara University it was unanimously decided that a delegation of Ankara University would make a visit to UAF in March, 2012 aiming to hold meetings with UAF scientists and people from private sector in general and private seed and cattle associations in particular.Besides other engagements at UAF, the Turkish Delegation would hold a business exhibition of Turkish commodities and expertise at UAF.

The UAF delegation met with management of the Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and discussed various matters of mutual interest. UAF delegation put some suggestions of possible collaboration and possibilities of funding by TICA. Mr. Mahmood, Focalperson Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TICA) conducted the visit and made all out efforts to facilitate the delegation. He is a dynamic and multi-disciplinary personality with good head on his shoulders. He performed his responsibilities in more professional manners. The UAF delegation also visited Agri Business Centre at Istanbul and had a meeting with officials of Seed Union. Participating in a Seed Conference, UAF VC Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan addressed the participants as Exclusive Guest Speaker. Dr. Iqrar appraised the gathering about the progress being made by Pakistan in the seed sector and activities of professionals of Plant Breeding and Genetics. The delegation expressed keen interest in the emerging business trends being adopted by the Turkish business community. The Vice Chancellor made an invitation to the TICA and Seed Union to visit University of Agriculture Faisalabad in March 2012 at the occasion of Spring Festival to witness agricultural exhibition, horse & cattle show, pet show, fancy birds’ show, tent pegging, and other colorful events. The officials of TICA and Seed Union accepted the invitation and vowed to make all out efforts to execute the forthcoming visit to UAF as only death and war can make hurdle in reaching the destiny.