Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman chaired the 27th convocation of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) for 2021 and 2022, where 16,229 students, including 248 PhDs, received degrees. The ceremony also honored 42 students with gold medals, 94 with silver, and 26 with bronze.
Rehman stressed the importance of a knowledge-based economy, highlighting the need for tangible research, skilled manpower, and modern agricultural practices to address challenges like food security and socioeconomic development. He commended UAF’s recognition as the 66th university worldwide for agriculture and forestry, according to the QS ranking.
The governor urged the adoption of modern trends and technology in agriculture to achieve not only food security but also economic development. He cautioned against the dangers of unchecked social media information dissemination, emphasizing the importance of verification.
Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, UAF’s Vice Chancellor, emphasized the university’s prominent international ranking, standing 12th in Asia and 1st in Pakistan according to QS. He mentioned financial assistance provided to over 7,000 students and plans to accommodate a projected 60,000 students in the next 15 years, focusing on infrastructure and facilities.
Khan highlighted UAF’s ten-year agricultural policy plan for Punjab, aiming to enhance the agriculture sector. He noted the significant female enrollment and the university’s admission policy, including rural and urban quotas.
He emphasized the importance of modernizing agriculture to address water scarcity and soil fertility, revealing plans for a new Faculty of Arts and Literature to further UAF’s development.
The convocation underscored UAF’s commitment to innovation and academic excellence, reflecting a vision for sustainable agricultural development in Pakistan and beyond.
