FAISALABAD: The 3rd meeting of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of Pak-Korea Nutrition Center (PKNC) was chaired by Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali, Vice Chancellor, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), to review the progress of the project and reaffirm the collective commitment of academia, development partners, and policymakers towards combating malnutrition and promoting community nutrition across Pakistan.
The meeting was graced by eminent national and international experts, including Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Chairperson, Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC); Ms. Sodam Baek, Deputy Country Director, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Pakistan; Dr. Nazeer Ahmed, Chief (Nutrition), Planning Commission of Pakistan; Prof. Dr. Mohammad Akmal, Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF); Prof. Dr. Faqir Muhammad Anjum, former Vice Chancellor, University of Gambia; Prof. Dr. Rubina Mushtaq, Vice Chancellor, Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University, Quetta; Prof. Dr. Zaib-un-Nisa Hussain, Vice Chancellor, University of Home Economics, Lahore; Prof. Dr. Razia Sultana, Women University Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Prof. Dr. Imran Pasha, Dean, Faculty of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences (FFNHS), UAF; Prof. Dr. Sultan Habibullah Khan, Director ORIC, UAF; Dr. Hammad Badar, Director Business Incubation Center (BIC), UAF; and Dr. Shadab Shaukat from Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences, Balochistan.
The Board reviewed the Mid-Term Progress Report and the future work plan of PKNC, appreciating the project’s remarkable achievements over the past three years. Members were informed that PKNC has successfully trained over 12,000 frontline nutrition workers, developed more than 50 nutritious and fortified food products, established modern research and training facilities, strengthened provincial outreach centers, and awarded competitive national research, policy research, and start-up grants to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization in the food and nutrition sector. The Board finalized the themes for Round-II Research Grants and Startups.
Addressing the meeting, Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali emphasized that capacity building remains central to achieving sustainable improvements in public health and nutrition. He stressed the need to further strengthen PKNC’s digital transformation initiatives, outreach mechanisms, and marketing strategies to maximize the impact of the Center at the national level. He remarked that the Pak-Korea Nutrition Center has emerged as a flagship national initiative demonstrating how international collaboration, scientific research, and innovation can effectively address Pakistan’s nutrition challenges and contribute to healthier communities.
Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan said universities must play more proactive role in addressing national nutrition and food security challenges through interdisciplinary research, innovation and stronger linkages with policymakers and industry. He said the Pak-Korea Nutrition Center had demonstrated how international collaboration could strengthen institutional capacity, generate evidence-based solutions and support nutrition initiatives. He urged higher education institutions to work collectively to translate research findings into practical interventions that improve public health and contribute to sustainable national development.
Irfan Abbas, Director-P&D, UAF/Project Coordinator PKNC, conducted the proceedings and presented the agenda of the meeting.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Atif Randhawa, Central Project Director, PKNC, briefed the Board on the strategic achievements of the project, highlighting its contributions to strengthening national nutritional excellence, expanding research and innovation, enhancing institutional capacity, promoting evidence-based policymaking, and developing nutritious food products using indigenous resources.
The meeting was also attended by all Thematic Chairs of PKNC, who presented updates on their respective areas of work.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026