USAID Mission Director Veerya Kate Somvongsiri embarked on a significant visit to the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), where she engaged in discussions with UAF Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan. During her visit, she toured the UAF Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security, exploring various labs and field areas.
Somvongsiri commended the remarkable strides made by the UAF community, expressing USAID’s pride in establishing the CAS-AFS a decade ago. She highlighted the exceptional work undertaken by faculty and students in tackling contemporary agricultural challenges, emphasizing the global significance of addressing climate change. Recognizing the pivotal role of modern agriculture in fostering economic development, she underscored the importance of enhancing food security initiatives in Pakistan.
In alignment with these goals, Somvongsiri emphasized USAID’s strategic partnership with the university, aiming to collaboratively address agricultural challenges.
Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan reflected on the university’s journey since the formulation of the UAF Vision 2030 in 2013-14. Noting the achievements of surpassing 30,000 enrolled students and a research and development portfolio exceeding 20 billion, he outlined a forward-looking strategy to accommodate 60,000 students by 2050. Emphasizing inclusivity, he highlighted the university’s commitment to providing top-notch facilities for its diverse student body, including a range of amenities tailored to meet the needs of female students.
Dr. Khan further discussed the UAF’s ambitious ten-year agricultural strategic plan, envisioning a new era of agricultural development and prosperity. He lauded the faculty’s efforts, particularly in organizing the vibrant spring festival celebrations and achieving a record number of patents over the last 15 months, heralding a promising chapter of academic excellence.
The event was also attended by notable figures such as Director of the Office of Democracy, Rights, and Governance USAID, Shally Prasad, USAID Lahore Team Lead Arshia Bano, Dr. Sultan Habibullah, Director of Research Dr. Jafar Jaskani, Director of Public Relations Dr. Jalal Arif, Dr. Rizwana Maqbool, Dr. Saqib, and others, further underscoring the collaborative efforts towards agricultural advancement and academic excellence.
There are no reviews yet.