Commissioner Faisalabad Mahmood Javed Bhatti along with UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Ashraf inaugurated the week. Addressing the participant, the Commissioner stressed upon the need of public participation in Prime Minister’s Clean and Green Pakistan plantation campaign in order to address the issue of emerging challenges including climate changes etc. He said that everyone should plant a sapling for breathing. This is a way forward a save the coming generation from the hazardous effects of changing climate. He said that the plantation drive was also a part of independence day celebrations meant to make greener Pakistan. He said that the government was making conscious efforts for the said cause and free-of-cost plants were being provided to the people under the Forest Department.
Talking about book fair, he said that it was an effort to connect young generation with our rich history. He said that books about national heroes will help the youth to reconnect with glorious achievement. UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Ashraf said that the Independence day celebrations will continue for a week that brings many enthusiast programs. He said that under the plantation drive, as many 0.5 million trees will be planted in the campus. He said Prime Minister Initiatives of Clean and Green Pakistan is a hallmark step to fight environmental issues. He urged the youth and University community to collectively plant trees for the benefit of green cover. He said that environmental degradation was posing a serious threat to life. He said with deforestation, increasing pollution, and smoke emitting from the chunk of factories and vehicles, the issue of climate changes was aggrading. He said that increasing plantation will help address he issue at the national level. Talking about book fair, he said that it is need of the hour to boost up book reading habits among the youth. He said that book fair comprises the books of history and contributions of national heroes.
UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Ashraf said that the efforts are afoot to increase university portfolio upto Rs 4 billion. He addressed a training on research projects arranged by Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization, University of Agriculture Faisalabad at New Senate Hall. He directed the official concerned to developed a one –window operation for the financial matters of the projects for the facilitation of the researchers. He advised the researchers to study the PEPRA rules for the transparency in the financial matters of the projects. He vowed to revitalize the teaching and research portfolios to find place in 500 best universities of the world in credible ranking systems. He asked the faculty to come up with value addition technologies and tangible research work based on the solutions of the farming community and others. He urged the agricultural engineers to make some reverse engineering of the small agricultural implements for small farmers. He urged the UAF researchers to develop new varieties keeping the climate changes and new trends in views.
ORIC Director Dr Zahir Ahamd Zahir said that currently, the university was working on 710 research projects worth Rs 2.89 billion. He said that more research funding was being made to boost the research funding upto 4 billion. Treasurer Tariq Saeed, Director procurement Umar Saeed, External Auditor Gul Ahmad and Deputy Director ORIC Dr Abdur Rasheed also spoke on the occasion.