Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman has said that amid education and research, the University of Agriculture Faisalabad provides international standard facilities to the students. He was presiding over the 50th session of the Senate of UAF on Friday during which budget of the varsity for the fiscal year 2023-24 was approved. Balighur Rehman urged the teachers to play their role in developing the abilities of the students as well as making them the best human beings. He said that in 2008, the government of Pakistan allocated a budget of 13 billion for education, which was increased to 120 billion by 2018, but in 2019, it was reduced to 61 billion. He said that the Technology Transfer Fund was established in 2013-14 to provide industry with local solutions to their problems as well as promote innovation, which was an important step towards achieving a knowledge-based economy.
The Governor Punjab further said that the universities should allocate five per cent of their income for the scholarship of deserving students so that students belonging to low-income families can quench their thirst for knowledge.
On this occasion, he paid tribute to the sacrifices of the martyrs and said that all the nations in the world respect and honour their martyrs. He said that no one can be a benefactor of the nation more than those who sacrifice their lives for the sake of the nation. He regretted the trend of growing intolerance in the society. He urged that an environment of love and respect for difference of opinion will have to be fostered.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Iqar Ahmad Khan said that more than seven thousand students are being provided with scholarships by the University of Agriculture, while teaching assistants, on-hour working, and other facilities are also available for students with financial difficulties He said that the University of Agriculture has the honour of being the hundred best universities in the world. He said that according to the US ranking, the University of Agriculture is the 66th best university in the world in agricultural sciences, while according to the National Taiwan University ranking.