'Pakistan Congress of Zoology' at UAF opens

The three-day 30th Pakistan Congress of Zoology (international) opened at UAF with Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan Vice Chancellor University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) as chief guest at the inaugural session held at the Iqbal Auditorium here on Tuesday morning.
The international congress was organised by the Zoological Society of Pakistan in association with Higher Education Commission Islamabad, Pakistan Science Foundation, Comstech, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, and Hamdard Pakistan. Addressing the participants at the inaugural ceremony, the Vice Chancellor described UAF as the natural host at the congress as its 10 departments were participating in various technical sessions which, he said, is a testament of its vibrant and forward looking faculty.
"We are going trough a series of international events which keeps us in the loop that we are not holding the formal 'melas', but vigorously contributing towards national progress in the field of science & technology," he articulated. A large participation from the inland and abroad had made this event a mega programme, he added. Dr Iqrar A. Khan congratulated the organisers and the participating institutions across the country.
He termed the large gathering of participants from all parts of the country an opportunity to bridge the mutual as well as institutional ties by their close liaison and interaction during the congress. He said UAF was a unique and historical institution of its kind in the subcontinent and had produced more than 765 PhDs. He lauded the efforts of Dean Faculty of Sciences and other organisers in holding the congress in a befitting manner.
Earlier, Dean Faculty of Sciences Professor Dr Muhammad Ashraf in his welcome address expressed hope that thought-provoking and informative presentations would stimulate many to labour more diligently for the grasp of life sickness and to follow the foot-steps of the presenters and award winners.
"We in varsity have a well-regarded mission and transmission of codified knowledge, seeking of truth and conduct of research are our fields of work", he said. He observed that in launching effectuating reformatory measures, the holding of periodic conferences and seminars is a helpful complementary device.
Dr M. Afzal Kazmi, President of the Society in his address informed that the society was evolved in 1968 at Dhakha and constantly holding congresses, conferences, workshops and publishing Pakistan Journal of Zoology. During the ceremony, meritorious scientists Dr Muzaffar, Dr Abdul Rauf Shakoor and Dr Imtiaz Ahmad were given lifetime achievement awards in the field of zoology while Professor Dr Muhammad Afzal was declared "zoologist of the year".
Dr Bushra Mirza, Dr M. Sarwar, Dr Shahid Amjad, Hira Sheikh, Mehwish Riaz, Nazia Arshid, Dr Shamim Fatima, Naima Qureshi, Sobia Aziz, Dr Tahir Ali, Madiha Zahid, Professor Dr A. R. Shakoori, Professor Dr Mirza Azhar Baig, Dr Nasima M. Tirmizi, Mujib Memorial, Muzaffer Ahmad, Muhammad Afzal Hussain Qadri Memorial, Professor M. A. Qadri, Professor Imtiaz Ahmad, Ahmad Mohiuddin Memorial, Professor Dr S. N. H. Naqvi, and Afsar Mian were conferred awards.