University of Agriculture Faisalabad was planning to launch ever first Agricultural journalism Degree Program in order to meet the emerging challenges in the field of Agricultural Extension. This was revealed by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan while talking to the Director Agricultural Information Punjab, Mr. Muhammad Rafique Akhtar in his Chamber on Saturday morning.

Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that the tools of Agricultural Extension should be changed and it could never be happened without adopting information technology for the transfer of technology at Mass level. He added that media was rapidly increasing its circles by grabbing attention of masses in Pakistan that is why UAF was re-framing its traditional degree programs in accordance with the demand of society.

He maintained that UAF has solid infra-structure keeping in view the pre-requisites of initiation of Agricultural journalism new degree program which had not yet been introduced in any public & private University of Pakistan. He directed the senior faculty members of Division of Education & Extension to develop curricula at International Standards.

Mr. Muhammad Rafique Akhtar, Director Agriculture Information, Punjab highlighted the significance of agricultural journalism and said that print & Electronic Media was seeking suitable human resource for their agricultural segments. He added that many public and private sector organizations, seed, fertilizer, agricultural input agencies as well as advertising agencies were looking for agricultural journalism degree holders for the fulfillment of their promotional campaigns.

He also urged the need for short term and long term diploma courses and in service training programs for agricultural graduates to meet the increasing demand of human resource in this field. Prof. Dr. Tanveer Ali and Dr. Muhammad Jalal Arif Principal Officer Public Relations & Publications also attended the meeting.