Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS AAUR), in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has successfully concluded a Faculty Development Program (Training of Trainers) titled “Advancing Social Entrepreneurship in Agriculture for Sustainable Peace Building.”
The program was aimed at strengthening the professional capacities of university faculty members while promoting innovative approaches to agricultural entrepreneurship, youth empowerment and sustainable peace.
Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Division Mr. Aurangzeb Khan Khichi attended the concluding ceremony as chief guest, while Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar (S.I.) was the guest of honour. They were welcomed by Vice Chancellor PMAS AAUR Prof. Dr. Qamar uz-Zaman, along with deans, directors, faculty members and senior university officials.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Khichi said faculty development initiatives help strengthen higher education institutions and prepare future generations to address national challenges. He said such professional training programs contribute to the intellectual growth of faculty members and improve the quality of education.
He said agricultural universities such as PMAS AAUR play a pivotal role in ensuring food security and advancing sustainable agricultural development. He also said research, innovation and modern technology are essential for national progress and economic prosperity, and congratulated the vice chancellor and his team for organising the program with UNODC.
Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar said universities are engines of innovation, technological advancement and socio economic development. He urged students and faculty members to actively participate in competitive research initiatives and international fellowship programs, saying these opportunities strengthen research capabilities and help improve Pakistan’s higher education sector.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar uz-Zaman thanked UNODC and other stakeholders for their support and said faculty development programs are essential for improving teaching methodologies, academic excellence and institutional performance. He also said universities must cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among students rather than limiting education to conventional employment pathways.
Senior Advisor and Office In Charge UNODC Syed Arsalan Shah appreciated the collaboration between UNODC and PMAS AAUR and announced that trained faculty members would be engaged in further UNODC capacity-building initiatives.
Earlier, Prof. Syed Hussain Haider, Senior Legal Expert UNODC and chief trainer of the program, presented an overview of the training activities and shared key outcomes of the initiative. He appreciated the dedication, professionalism and enthusiasm of the participating faculty members.
On the occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between PMAS AAUR and the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture Division to establish a framework for long-term institutional collaboration.
The participating faculty members said the training was informative, engaging and professionally enriching, and noted that it provided practical knowledge and new perspectives on social entrepreneurship, community engagement, agricultural innovation, leadership and sustainable peace building.
