Punjab Minister for Agriculture Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, accompanied by Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, inaugurated the state-of-the-art Solarisation Project at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR).
The minister described the project as a significant step towards promoting renewable energy, environmental sustainability and energy efficiency in higher education institutions. He appreciated the university’s proactive efforts in adopting green technologies and termed the solarisation initiative a model for other educational institutions.
Following the inauguration, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Kirmani to review the university’s ongoing development initiatives and future roadmap.
During the meeting, the minister appreciated the vision of Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman and acknowledged the dedicated efforts of the university’s faculty and administrative teams in successfully implementing several academic, research and development projects.
Addressing the meeting, the minister reaffirmed that the Government of Punjab, particularly the Punjab Agriculture Department, remained fully committed to supporting agricultural universities across the province by strengthening research collaborations, promoting technology transfer and encouraging innovation-driven agricultural development.
Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman gave a comprehensive presentation on the university’s strategic initiatives, ongoing projects and future plans for advancing agricultural education, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and community outreach.
He briefed the minister on the Faculty Development Programme, Training of Trainers (ToT), Climate-Resilient Peanut Value Chain Development for Rural Enterprise and Economic Graduation, Farmers’ Call Centre and Agricultural Advisory Service, and the strengthening of the university’s Business Incubation Centre (BIC) and its transformation into a dynamic Agri-Entrepreneurship Hub.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo appreciated the university’s vibrant research environment and academic excellence. He said the Punjab Agriculture Department was strengthening its collaboration with agricultural universities across the province, resulting in the successful implementation of several joint initiatives.
