RAWALPINDI: Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) and Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation in research, faculty and student exchange programmes, academic activities and other areas of common interest.
The MoU was signed during the visit of a high-level delegation from Nazarbayev University to PMAS-AAUR. The delegation included Prof Rehan Sadiq, Provost of Nazarbayev University, Mr Daniyar Duimagambetov, Director, Department of Marketing, Nazarbayev University, and other university officials.
Dr Aitazaz A. Farooque, Associate Dean, University of Prince Edward Island, Canada, also attended the occasion and played a key role in facilitating the visit and strengthening academic linkages between the institutions.
PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman warmly welcomed the delegation. The Registrar, Deans, Directors, heads of various departments and other senior university officials were also present.
During the meeting, Prof Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman briefed the delegation on the academic and research activities of PMAS-AAUR, its ongoing development projects and major initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of higher education and research.
The Vice Chancellor said international academic partnerships were vital for strengthening research capacity, sharing expertise and creating new opportunities for faculty and students.
Prof Rehan Sadiq briefed the participants about Nazarbayev University, its academic programmes, research strengths, modern facilities and international outlook. He appreciated the academic and technological initiatives being undertaken by PMAS-AAUR and expressed optimism that the partnership would lead to meaningful and sustainable collaboration between the two universities.
During the visit, the delegation toured several state-of-the-art research and innovation facilities of PMAS-AAUR, including the Center for Precision Agriculture (C4PA), National Center of Industrial Biotechnology (NCIB), Green AI Hydroponic Unit, and Centre for Modern Agriculture & Water-Efficient Technologies.
The visiting delegation showed keen interest in the university’s advanced research facilities, modern technologies and specialised equipment.
The visit concluded with the exchange of souvenirs as a gesture of goodwill and friendship between PMAS-AAUR and Nazarbayev University.
