Turkish Extension Centre to be established in UAF

Turkish Extension Centre will be set up at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, with the financial assistance of The Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TICA) in order to increase meat and milk production keeping in view of grabbing the Halal Market of the world as well as enhancing crops productivity by setting up seed centre.
In this regard, an eleven-member delegation of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, headed by UAF Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan visited Turkey after accepting the invitation extended by the Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TICA) through Turkish Embassy at Islamabad.
At Ankara, the delegation was warmly received by the highest management of Ankara University and TICA officials.
It was also decided that the Extension Centre would consist of Publishing House Comprising State-of-the-Art Audio Visual Mechanism and Printing Unit, Reference Food Laboratory, Seed and Gene Bank, Plant Clinic/Diagnostic Lab, Faculty Exchange Programme and Embryo Transfer Techniques, launching of short courses for the farming community. The delegation visited different institutions and held meetings with officials of various agricultural, veterinary, livestock departments. They also talked with people from Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TICA), Seed Union, Istanbul Municipality and private sector organisations where the delegation witnessed the progress being made by the Turks.
At Ankara University, the UAF delegation was warmly received by Rector Professor Dr Cemal TALUG and high management of the Ankara University. The visiting delegation held numerous meetings on the topics of mutual interest and vowed to boost up the cooperation more.
Addressing the participants in the Seed Conference, UAF VC Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan informed the gathering about the progress being made by Pakistan in the seed sector and activities of professionals of Plant Breeding and Genetics. The Vice-Chancellor was of the view, though the projects are used to be a way forward for bringing the parties close to each other yet we are going into new and long-term engagement with brotherly Muslim countries so that people of both countries may get benefit. The Vice-Chancellor made an invitation to the TICA and Seed Union to visit the University of Agriculture Faisalabad in March 2012 on the occasion of Spring Festival to witness agricultural exhibition, horse and cattle show, pet show, fancy birds' show, tent pegging, and other colourful events. The President Seed Association vowed to attend the event in March. The UAF delegation comprised Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan (SI), Faculty of Veterinary Science Dean Professor Dr Laique Akbar Lodhi, Faculty of Animal Husbandry Dean Professor Dr Muhammad Sarwar (TI), DSA Professor Dr Zafar Iqbal Qureshi, Director Academics Professor Dr Rashid Ahmad, PRP and ITRCD Principal Officer Professor Dr Muhammad Jalal Arif External Linkages Director Professor Dr Ashfaq Ahmad Chatha, Continuing Ed Chairman Professor Dr Mahmood Ahmad Randhawa, Dr Safdar Ali, Dr Mehar-un-Nisa and Dr Ayesha Siddiqa (Asstt. Prof, Dept. of Pathology).