Ambassador of Argentine Leopoldo Franciso Sahores and Deputy Head of Mission Camilo Ernesto Silberkasten visited Lahore University of Management Sciences and called upon Vice Chancellor Dr Arshad Ahmad.

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Provost Dr Farhat Haq, Vice Provost Dr Tariq Jadoon, Dean Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE) Dr Sabieh Anwar and Director Office of Advancement Ms Nuzhat Kamran were also present on occasion.

Leoplodo Franciso Sahores expressed interest in the project by Dr Khurram Bashir, Associate Professor, SBASSE, titled ‘Establishment of automated non-invasive plant phenotyping system and screening cotton germplasm for drought and/or heat stress tolerance.’ The proposal explains how optimising chemical application methods could improve stress tolerance and enhance crop production. The aim is to establish a plant phenotyping facility in Pakistan to enhance crop yield under challenging environmental conditions.

Connections between research and industry are essential, explained Mr. Sahores. “There is a lot of potential for collaboration between academic and research institutions in Argentina with Pakistan. We would like to explore and connect labs, institutions and universities to come together to help make agriculture in Pakistan more efficient.”

Vice Chancellor, Dr. Ahmad gave an overview of the University and the path forward. “Through our strength drawn from the diversity and excellence in teaching, we want our presence to be felt in South Asia in the next 3 decades.”

He explained that indigenous solutions are needed to solve the big issues facing the world. “We need expertise from other areas to solve complex issues. At LUMS, we are trying to direct the productivity of our greatest asset — our faculty. We cannot work in silos with regards to our disciplines, and so we promote interdisciplinary programmes.”

After the visit, the Department of Biology at SBASSE also hosted a webinar “Cooperation in Agriculture Biotechnology between Argentina and Pakistan”, in collaboration with the Argentine Republic Ministry of Science and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan.