Daily Times

A delegation comprising eight members from Huazhong Agriculture University (HZAU), Wuhan, China on Thursday visited Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR).

The main objective of the delegation was to set up the Pakistan chapter of HZAU Alumni Association and discussed the collaborative opportunities to develop the work plan in areas of mutual interest including post-graduate scholarships, post-doctoral scholarship exchange programme, technology transfer and faculty training.

The delegation headed by HZAU Vice President Zhou Chengzao 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.

PMAS-AAUR VC Professor Dr Sarwat N Mirza presided the meeting and gave presentation about PMAS-AAUR. He explained the university’s achievements, departments, faculties, facilities, development initiatives and research projects. He said both universities can benefit from each other through exchange of students, faculty and 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.

Also, a presentation about HZAU was given by its VP Zhou Chengziao. Experts in the meeting exchanged information and discussed areas of mutual interest to accelerate the development of agriculture sector in Pakistan. They also 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.

In a meeting, the Chinese delegation agreed to provide scholarships exclusively to PMAS-AAUR every year along with short term and long term student exchange programmes. PMAS-AAUR will also facilitate HZAU in Sino-Pakistan Agricultural conference between HZAU and Pakistani universities.

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, September 7^th 2018.