Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS AAUR), in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), successfully concluded a Faculty Development Program (Training of Trainers) titled Advancing Social Entrepreneurship in Agriculture for Sustainable Peace Building.
The initiative aimed to strengthen the professional capacities of university faculty members while promoting innovative approaches to agricultural entrepreneurship, youth empowerment and sustainable peace.
Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Division Mr. Aurangzeb Khan Khichi graced the concluding ceremony as Chief Guest, while Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar (S.I.), attended as Guest of Honour. They were welcomed by Vice Chancellor PMAS AAUR Prof. Dr. Qamar uz-Zaman along with deans, directors, faculty members and senior university officials.
Addressing the participants, Mr. Aurangzeb Khan Khichi said faculty development initiatives play an important role in strengthening higher education institutions and preparing future generations to address national challenges. He noted that agricultural universities such as PMAS AAUR are guarantors of food security and contribute to sustainable agricultural development.
He also appreciated the Vice Chancellor and his team for organizing the program with UNODC.
Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar said universities are engines of innovation, technological advancement and socio economic development. He encouraged students and faculty members to actively participate in competitive research initiatives and international fellowship and scholarship programs.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar uz-Zaman thanked UNODC and other stakeholders for their support and congratulated the participating faculty members on completing the training. He said faculty development programs are essential for improving teaching methodologies, academic excellence and institutional performance.
He added that universities must promote an entrepreneurial mindset among students rather than limiting education to conventional employment pathways.
Senior Advisor and Office In Charge UNODC Syed Arsalan Shah appreciated the collaboration between UNODC and PMAS AAUR and announced that the trained faculty members would be involved in further UNODC capacity-building initiatives.
Earlier, Prof. Syed Hussain Haider, Senior Legal Expert UNODC and chief trainer of the program, presented an overview of the training activities and shared the key outcomes of the initiative. He praised the dedication, professionalism and enthusiasm of the participating faculty members.
On the occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between PMAS AAUR and the Ministry of National Heritage & Culture Division for long-term institutional collaboration.
The participating faculty members described the training as informative, engaging and professionally enriching, saying it provided practical knowledge and fresh perspectives on social entrepreneurship, community engagement, agricultural innovation, leadership and sustainable peace building.
