ISLAMABAD: Punjab Minister for Agriculture Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Kirmani inaugurated the solarization project at the Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR), describing it as a major step toward promoting renewable energy, environmental sustainability and efficient energy use in higher education institutions.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Punjab Secretary Agriculture Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, who joined the minister in launching the project. Kirmani praised the university’s commitment to adopting environmentally friendly technologies and implementing green energy solutions, saying the initiative could serve as a model for other educational institutions across the country.
Following the inauguration, the minister chaired a meeting to review the university’s ongoing development projects, research activities and future strategic plans.
Speaking at the meeting, Kirmani appreciated the vision of Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar uz Zaman and commended the faculty and administration for successfully implementing several academic, research and development initiatives. He reaffirmed the Punjab government’s commitment to supporting agricultural universities and strengthening collaboration between academia and the Agriculture Department to advance research and innovation.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar uz Zaman briefed the participants on the university’s overall performance, ongoing projects and future development plans. He highlighted initiatives in agricultural education, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and community outreach.
The vice chancellor also presented updates on the Faculty Development Programme’s Training of Trainers initiative, a climate-resilient peanut value chain development project aimed at promoting rural entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, the Farmers Call Centre and agricultural advisory services, as well as efforts to transform the Business Incubation Centre into a modern agri-entrepreneurship hub.
Punjab Secretary Agriculture Iftikhar Ali Sahoo praised the university’s research environment, academic standards and innovative initiatives. He said the Agriculture Department was expanding its collaboration with agricultural universities across Punjab through joint research and development projects, expressing confidence that the partnership would contribute to agricultural modernization, technological advancement and farmers’ prosperity.
