ISLAMABAD: A delegation comprising 15 members from Huazhong Agriculture University (HZAU), Wuhan, China is on a two-day visit to Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) for exchange of scientific knowledge and collaboration in agricultural research and development programme keeping in view the One Belt One Road initiative. The delegation headed by HZAU Vice President Professor Dr Wu Ping met with PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Sarwat N Mirza and a meeting was also held with PMAS-AAUR deans, directors and faculty members of different departments/institutes. In the meeting, experts exchanged the information and discussed the areas of mutual interest to accelerate the development of agriculture sector in Pakistan. They discussed the area of potential between HZAU and PMAS-AAUR by sharing expertise, scientific material and information, exchange of faculty, researchers and students, sponsoring of research, training of scientists and students and to organise international conferences and workshops. While presiding over a meeting with the HZAU delegation, Dr Sarwat N Mirza said that after the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiation, the relationship between China and Pakistan has entered into a new era and expressed his resolve to enhance mutual cooperation between the two countries in different academic areas. He also briefed about the major achievements of PMAS-AAUR in development of various technologies in agriculture and livestock sector. He also gave a detailed presentation about PMAS-AAUR, its mission and vision to achieve socio-economic development of the country, especially in agriculture based upon knowledge and innovation. He said that PMAS-AAUR and HZAU were both agricultural universities and could benefit from each other’s experiences, adding that collaboration among two institutes will provide opportunity for the development of technologies in the field of agriculture and for scientists of both countries to interact positively to contribute towards the advancement of scientific culture. He said Pakistan and China have close and friendly relations and these agreements will further strengthen the ties of brotherhood and cooperation among the two nations. Dr Sarwat said that the people of Pakistan had great respect for the people of China and wanted to work closely with them. Formerly, a Chinese delegation member Professor Dr Qing Ping gave a presentation about HZAU and briefed on the academic and research avenues as well as areas of mutual interests. Talking about the history of the HZAU, he indicated various possible eves of collaboration between the scientists of both institutes. Dr Wu Ping said that they were visiting different universities of Pakistan to enhance cooperation between the institutions of higher learning of both the countries especially with regard to CPEC. She suggested for initiating different programmes of faculty and students in the common areas of study, particularly in agriculture sector. The Chinese delegation appreciated PMAS-AAUR role for the development of agriculture sector in Pakistan and hoped that this meeting and future collaboration will further strengthen the relations between the both countries. Published in Daily Times, March 20th 2018.