Nestle Pvt Ltd has donated Rs 1 million merit and need-based scholarships for the University of Agriculture Faisalabad’s students of food and nutrition disciplines.

UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan received cheque by Nestle Pakistan Manger Regulatory Affairs Shahzad Sikander at a meeting held at the VC Chamber. Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that uplift of any society is directly linked with increased literacy rate and education level. He said that being the agriculture university, the UAF admits the students with a special focus on rural background on district quota. Keeping the financial constraint of these students, who are belonging to oppressed segment of the society, in view, the university was providing scholarship to 40 percent of total enrolled students. It will enable them to continue there studies that will lead them to a bright future. He said that the country was blessed with talented people but lack of skilled manpower and low literacy rate were the hindrance to fulfill the dream of the development and prosperity.

He showed his concern that 40 percent of our total population was under the grip of malnutrition. Therefore, it is need of the hour to take the revolutionary step to combat the challenge. In this regard, skilled manpower will help create the awareness and fight other related issue of malnutrition. Shezad Sikandar said: “developed nations, which have proved their mettle, are used to heavily invest on education and skilled manpower. He added that there are numerous people in our homeland who cannot afford the education owing to low income and financial burden. The Nestle was making all tangible steps to promote education.

Talking about the malnutrition, he urged the researchers, policy makers and industry to expedite their efforts to alleviate the hunger and ensure the quality and pure food to the people. He said that Nestle provides pure and quality food to the inhabitants. Dean Faculty of Food Sciences Dr Masood Sadiq Butt said that they are producing quality and skilled manpower which will lead the food industry in particular and the country in general towards the uplift and prosperity. He also added that they have launched BS Home Nutrition and Dietetics program first time countrywide.