University of Arid Agriculture convocation
RAWALPINDI, May 1(Daily Times): Universities have been producing quality researchers, scholars and
scientists due to education reforms and contributing to the country's progress,
said Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool during the 8th convocation of the University
of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi (UAAR) here on Monday.
The governor said
the government was making efforts to improve the academic and research
atmosphere in universities by allocating financial resources so that these
institutions could produce skilled and trained manpower.
He said the
Pakistani youth were determined to change the country's fate by getting standard
higher education. He said the universities' atmosphere had improved and the
students had been taking more interest in studies. "This is the indication of a
better future," Maqbool added.
He said after the inception of a
veterinary sciences section at the UAAR, the Punjab government had opened
veterinary institutions and colleges in several cities of the province. The
governor said agriculture sub-campuses had been set up in various universities
of the province. He stressed for producing value added products to compete in
the international market. "We must properly utilise our land and water resources
for farmers' prosperity," he added.
He also underlined the importance of
utilising modern technologies in agriculture, adding that all stakeholders,
including farmers, universities, research organisations and market
representatives must unite to enhance quality production.
Praising UAAR's
role in education, Maqbool said the enrolment in the university had increased
more than two folds in the last six years, adding that the university's
development budget would touch Rs 800 million next year. He said the university
had only 26 PhD teachers six years ago as compared to 52 at
present.
Speaking on the occasion, UAAR Vice Chancellor Dr Khalid Mahmood
elaborated the university's goals and achievements. He said the UAAR had been
making progress in terms of services and academics, infrastructure and
facilities.
He said several institutions were established in the varsity
to bridge the gap between the UAAR and approaching future offerings and facing
upcoming challenges. He said the university had also established a placement
bureau for the counselling of students to help them find jobs. He said the
university had also developed a comprehensive scholarship scheme to help the
needy and talented students, adding that Rs 4.5 million had been disbursed so
far under the scheme. The VC said the university had acquired 1,952 kanals of
land near Mandra to start university projects.
The governor distributed
medals and certificates among students who excelled in their academic careers.
1,046 graduates of 2006 were awarded degrees during the convocation. Similarly,
38 students who excelled in their studies were decorated with gold, silver and
bronze medals.
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