Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmed Khan has a long and multifarious career in education, research and administration. He earned his PhD degree from the University of California. Keeping his services in academia, agriculture and research in view, the government has conferenced upon him the title of Sitara-e-Imtiaz.
He is a scientist of eminence and bestowed with astute management, research and academic skills. He has released a potato variety (PARS-70), pioneered the research on breeding seedless Kinnow and discovered new varieties of wheat. He has supervised more than 100 graduate students and researchers.
He remained the Vice Chancellor of UAF for two tenures earlier. During his period, the UAF not only listed in the top-ranked universities of the globe in the field of agriculture but also emerged a hub of research, agriculture and academic activities. The French government has also decorated Prof Dr IA Khan with French Civil Award Ordre Des Palmes Academiques in recognition of his tremendous services.
Moreover, in his speech to faculty, Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that all-out efforts would be made to address the problems of the farming community, students and faculty. He urged the faculty members to play their pivotal role to move the university, and country to the new heights of uplift. He said that amid the challenges of Covid, locust and other issues, the country was facing different problems. It is our responsibility to come up with viable solutions. He said that agriculture is backbone of our economy, contributing to 19 percent to the Gross Domestic Product. He viewed that we have to provide the out-of-box solutions to the farming community in order to address their problems and to increase the per-acre production.