Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has approved 300 foreign scholarships worth 3 billion for students and faculty members of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad in order to flourishing agricultural sector with the help of skilled manpower. Notification in this regard has been issued. Agricultural experts and educationists termed it a hallmark step keeping in view improving our agricultural practices and increasing per acre production with the proper utilization of manpower that will bring tangible results on the realm of the agriculture.

UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan addresses faculty members at Old Senate Hall

UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while lauding the step told gathering of faculty members from the Faculty of Veterinary Science and Faculty of Animal Husbandry that the oldest agricultural education institute was elevated to the status of University in 1961. At that time, 100 foreign scholarships were given to UAF that not only helped bring increase in per acre production but also produced green revolution. He said that during a span of last 12 years, the Higher Education Commission had provided as many as 500 foreign scholarships for the agriculture while the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council has given 200 scholarships, strengthened the sector. He added that the Chief Minister had approved 300 foreign scholarships, largest one in the history, would definitely boost up the production manifold with the transferring knowledge into goods and services. He said that the world was confronting many challenges and the food security was one of these. It was need of hour to get prepared to confront said target which can be achieved through proper education for which the university was striving hard. He praised the Chief Minster for taking his keen interest in the promotion of education and preparing skilled manpower that will bring prosperity in the country in the shape of food security and fighting climate changes etc. He said that the scholarships showed the commitment of the chief minister for the agriculture which was the backbone of our economy and contributing 21 percent to the Gross Domestic Product.