Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman has said that a knowledge-based economy, tangible research work, a skilled workforce, a positive attitude and transforming the agriculture sector on a scientific basis would pave the way to combat different challenges, including food security and make socio-economic development. He addressed the 27th convocation of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad for 2021 and 2022, in which 16,229 students, including 248 Ph. D.s, were awarded degrees. Forty-two students received gold medals, 94 received silver, and 26 received bronze. Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman and the University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan distributed degrees.

Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman called for the adoption of modern trends and technology in the agriculture sector that will make it possible to achieve food security and economic development. He said that we have to shun traditional methods of agriculture and adopt modern scientific methods. According to the QS ranking, UAF has been declared the 66th university in the world in agriculture and forestry, and thousands of passed-out students have been contributing to the country’s development day and night.

He congratulated UAF Vice Chancellor Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan and the university faculty for achieving international recognition and excellent performance. He urged the students to develop high morals and character in their personalities consciously. He said that although the right path is difficult, success and efficiency are guaranteed on this path. He said social media is dangerous for our society because it spreads information rapidly without verification. He said it is necessary to verify information before promoting it.

He said we must play our role in spreading love and goodness so society can become a place of brotherhood and unity. He urged the students to try hard to succeed in their practical lives continuously.

Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that UAF is prominent in international rankings. According to the QS ranking, the UAF is 12th in Asia and 1st in Pakistan. He said that more than 7,000 students are being given financial assistance at the University to continue their journey of knowledge.

He said that currently, 33,000 students are studying at the university. This number will exceed 60,000 by the next 15 years, considering work is being carried out to provide infrastructure and other facilities.

He said that the UAF had prepared a ten-year agricultural policy plan for the Punjab government, which will strengthen the agriculture sector. He said that about 50 per cent of students currently studying at the university are women. He said the UAF takes admissions under a special formula, including rural and urban student quotas from different districts.

He said that we have to develop agriculture on modern lines so that the goals of food security can be achieved by overcoming problems of water scarcity, soil fertility, seed and market. He said the UAF has also set up a new Faculty of Arts and Literature, enabling further development.

On this occasion, the Controller of Examinations, Muhammad Tariq, informed the details of the passing out students. On this occasion, Pro-Vice-Chancellor/Dean Agriculture Dr Muhammad Sarwar Khan, Deans Dr Masood Sadiq Butt, Dr Qamar Bilal, Dr Farzana Rizvi, Dr Khalid Mushtaq, Dr Ijaz Ahmad Bhatti, Dr Anjum Munir and others also spoke.