Chairman Pakistan Agriculture Research Council Dr Yousaf Zafar PARC For Exploring Youth Potential To Develop Science & Technology

Chairman Pakistan Agriculture Research Council Dr Yousaf Zafar Tuesday said that was need of the hour to explore the potential of youth and used it for the development of science and technology which ultimately would lead to the well being of mankind.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Apr, 2018 ) :Chairman Pakistan Agriculture Research Council Dr Yousaf Zafar Tuesday said that was need of the hour to explore the potential of youth and used it for the development of science and technology which ultimately would lead to the well being of mankind.

He stated this during his address as a Chief Guest to the 19th Convocation of the Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR). Almost 3613 graduates of Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Raalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) were awarded degrees while 74 students were decorated with Medals.

As many as 26 students received Ph.D degrees, 656 awarded with M.Phil & MS degrees, 1450 secured Masters Degrees, while 1481 students got undergraduate degree in their respective disciplines. Gold medals were awarded to 49 students on their outstanding performance in their academic record while 13 bagged silver and 12 secured bronze in the convocation.

PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Sarwat N Mirza, China Huazhong Agriculture University delegation, Deans, Directors, Faculty members, graduates and their parents were also attended the convocation.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Yousaf Zafar urged the outgoing graduates to give their best input through transforming the knowledge and skills they get during their academic life into practical endeavors for the prosperity and well being of the nation.

He also suggested the students to train their minds for logical and rational thinking to depict the level of high standard of education to meet with the international standards to compete the world.

He appreciated the pace of the multidimensional development of PMAS-AAUR and stressed the need of concentrated research in agri- sector, especially in relevance to the arid areas. He congratulated the graduates and also distributed medals and gave away degrees to the graduates.

Earlier, PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Sarwat N. Mirza in his welcome address said over twelve thousand students were studying and four hundred twenty five scholars were pursuing their doctorates in different disciplines in the university that was fast becoming one of the prestigious seats of learning in the country.

"A number of Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with various national and International organizations has also been signed for academic and research sharing. The provision of better research facilities encouraged the faculty to publish 346 research papers in national and international reputed journals," he said.

The Vice Chancellor said the university had allocated funds to enable staff and students to engage in research activities aimed at providing solutions to societal problems besides promoting and defending intellectual and academic freedom, scholarship and innovation in the field of education.

He informed that the university had successfully entered the Phase-II of its Attock Campus that would be inaugurated soon, adding "Keeping in view the importance of modern day agriculture, the university had made remarkable achievements in the field of hydroponics." Besides indigenization of hydroponic technology and use of local materials, the university was actively engaged in adoption of this technology at farmers' level, he said.

He also informed that a mega project of establishing twelve units in entire Punjab at different locations was near completion by the university. Providing details about the efforts of the university to improve academic and research activities, he said a number of teaching departments had been strengthened through the infrastructure development, procurement of sophisticated scientific equipment and purchase of books.

"The faculty members have earned a good number (129) research projects worth Rs 577.154 million from different funding agencies like HEC, PSF, PARC, & UAF," he said. Encouraging the students for their efforts he said "We share the joy and glory with your parents, guardians, sponsors and faculty members of the departments who have made significant contributions to your education."