AVN Report
FAISALABAD: Announcing a 6.6 percent agriculture sector growth rate, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, underscored its potential while stressing the need for support to small farmers and the adoption of modern farming techniques to secure food supply and increase foreign exchange earnings.
He made these remarks at the 28th Convocation of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), where degrees were conferred on 9,194 graduates from the class of 2023. Among them, 26 students received gold medals, 61 earned silver medals, and 20 took home bronze medals. Additionally, 124 PhD degrees were awarded.
The governor lauded UAF’s contributions to agricultural development and expressed optimism for its future.
He also pointed out the missed opportunities in fully utilizing the country’s agricultural resources, saying its agricultural products like mangoes, rice, cotton, and wheat had a global demand. He called for the removal of obstacles that limit the country’s agricultural growth.
Addressing the youth, which makes up over 60pc of the population, the governor emphasized the importance of equipping them with quality education to drive national progress.
He also urged fostering moral values such as patience and tolerance in discussions on diverse opinions.
In his address, UAF Vice Chancellor Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan said the university’s infrastructure has expanded significantly over the past 15 years with an investment of Rs40 billion, surpassing investments made in the previous century.
He said that UAF is ranked among the top 100 universities globally and that female student enrollment has grown from 20pc in 2008 to over 50pc now.
The event also featured an alumni meet, Sufi night, and sports competitions, where speakers, including Controller of Examinations Muhammad Tariq and senior alumnus Hafiz Abdul Qayyum, addressed the audience.
