Punjab Governor/Chancellor Muhammad Rafique Rajwana urged the learned scholars, researchers and intellectuals to share a common vision to change the calamities into opportunities because it is only possible the students work hard for changing the fate of poor farming communities by adopting new technology of 21st century.
Addressing the 17th convocation of Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) on April 16, 2016, he pointed out that it is quite encouraging that this seat of higher learning is taking lead on the concepts of mountain agriculture and hydroponics, which has not only quantitative impact to produce fifty times more but also reduce the medical bills of overall community of Pakistan.
He said: “The universities are known for knowledge creation and research plays pivotal role in the development of any institute of higher learning. I would urge to further the concept of pragmatic and applied research and prioritize the benefit of common countrymen.”
Governor said that agriculture is the backbone of national economy and 22% of our GDP whereas 70% of our labour force is associated with this sector. But the full potential of this sector is needed to be realized yet. We have to pay attention on competitiveness of our agri-products to excel in national & international markets, he added.
He lauded different projects and initiatives launched for capacity building of the students in the field of agriculture and allied disciplines that would not only lead to train the graduates but would also broaden the horizon of agriculture sector through value addition of farm produce.
The Punjab Governor congratulated the recipients of various degrees and urged them to put in their best efforts to bring the country out of vicious cycles of poverty and scarcity of resources.
“Pakistan is blessed with enormous potential and talented human resource and the time is ripe to enjoy the fruit of these endowed natural and strategic resources. You are currently under the umbrella of your parents, guardians, teachers and supervisors, now onward you have to play the role as guardian, teacher and supervisor and game changers,” he said.
A total of 2360 students were awarded degrees in PhD, M.Phil, Masters, and undergraduate courses, while 55 students who topped the examination in their respective disciplines were decorated with Medals. 41 graduates got gold medals, 7 silver medals, 7bronze medals, while 53 students got PhD degrees at the 17th Convocation of PMAS-AAUR.
Ambassador of South Korea Dr. Song Jong-Hwan, Chairman HEC Islamabad Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor University of Gujrat Prof Dr. Zial ul Qayyum, Rector NUST Gen. Muhammad Asghar, Vice Chancellor Government College Women University Prof. Dr. Noureen Aziz Qureshi, MNA Malik Abrar, MNA Raja Javed Akhlas and MPA Raja Muhammad Hanif were also present and conferred degrees among the graduates.
Senator Najma Hameed, Sardar Naseem Khan, Rahat Qudoosi, Controller Examinations, Registrar, Directors of Campuses, Directors of Institutes, Deans of all faculties, members of Syndicate & Academic Council, eminent educationists, faculty members and a large number of degree holder students and their parents were also present at occasion.
Ambassador of South Korea Dr. Song Jong-Hwan, in his address, advised the students to perform an active role based on their education and experience for the development and progress of Pakistan. He said that it was a matter of honor for him to attend the convocation of PMAS-AAUR and thankful to PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad. He advised the students to help a common man and poor segments of the society
Earlier, in his welcome address, Vice Chancellor PMAS-AAUR Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad gave a detailed brief about university, academic & research activities, prominent statistics and other related matters. He thanked the Punjab Governor/Chancellor University of Education Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana to spare his precious time for convocation.
The Vice Chancellor said with each passing day the technological advancement is taking place in various fields that requires matching speed of up gradation in all sectors of economy, adding “PMAS-AAUR is putting optimum efforts to bridge the gaps and convert the issues into opportunities.”
“Various myths and sayings about life so far you heard and learnt, would now be turning into feelings and realities. Face the challenges from the front and put your level best to achieve the targets. I am confident that you would be shining like stars of various fields and professions in years to come,” he said.
He said they successfully indigenized state-of-the-art Hydroponic Vegetable Production facility that is ready for adoption at large by the farming community at very economical initial costs.
He said the efforts are under way to advance this technology to make it more feasible for common farmers and a reasonable experimentation is going on at the university research farm where remarkable success has also been achieved.
“To make this technology sustainable, permanent arrangements are being made and in this regard establishment of Institute of Hydroponics has been approved at the University by statutory bodies. This Institute will be commencing its R & D activities along with degree programme in Hydroponics from the upcoming Fall Semester 2016,” he said.
Under Prime Minister’s Youth Program, he said there are 70 students of various disciplines doing internship programme and hopefully they would earn more than public jobs by engaging themselves in entrepreneurial activities.
He informed that the Punjab Chief Minister has approved the establishment of sub-campus of the University of Mandra, Tehsil Gujar Khan, and PC-1 of the project has been submitted to complete this task at the earliest.
“What we need is that our universities must perform like skilled universities in their disciplines. We are ready to accept challenge of even training graduates of other disciplines for 21st century agriculture under the vision of Prime Minister and Chief Minister,” he said.
He said integrated approach of rainwater harvesting and its use for production of fruits and vegetables can bring paradigm shift in the livelihood of this Potohar region.
He also mentioned about Ostrich Farming, Mehr Drinking Water, Nursery Training, Students Practical Working Stations, Fancy Birds Breeding Centre, Farm Modernization and Mechanization initiatives like Trellising, and University Research Products Display Centre has been established at University. He said it is the only University which provides its students mineral water for drinking both at campus and hostels at a cost of only Rs. 3 per day. He said that University is working in close collaboration with certain International R & D Cooperation Agencies and a Pak-Korea Capacity Building Centre for Agriculture & Livestock Technology has been established in University.
The vice chancellor said the university has analyzed and assessed the entire Potohar region through application of GIS and Remote Sensing, and it is encouraging to know that more than 13,000 rainwater harvesting reservoirs can be developed in this region.
He congratulated the graduating students who have been rewarded for their tireless academic pursuits and urged them to put in their best efforts for development of the country.
Earlier, Governor Punjab planted a sapling and inaugurated Staff Club & sports complex in University premises. He also did ground breaking ceremony of institute of Hydroponic Agriculture and Aisha Hall a Block of Girls Hostel.
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