RAWALPINDI: Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) and Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in research, faculty and student exchange programmes, academic activities and other areas of mutual interest.
The MoU was signed during the visit of a high-level delegation from Nazarbayev University to PMAS-AAUR. The delegation included Prof Rehan Sadiq, Provost of Nazarbayev University; Mr Daniyar Duimagambetov, Director, Department of Marketing, Nazarbayev University; and other university officials.
Dr Aitazaz A. Farooque, Associate Dean at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), Canada, was also present on the occasion. He played an important role in facilitating the visit and strengthening academic linkages between the two institutions.
PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman welcomed the visiting delegation along with the Registrar, Deans, Directors, heads of different departments and other senior officials of the university.
During the meeting, Prof Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman briefed the delegation on the university’s academic and research activities, ongoing development projects and key initiatives aimed at improving the quality of higher education and research. He said international academic partnerships were essential for building research capacity, sharing expertise and opening new avenues for faculty and students.
Prof Rehan Sadiq also briefed the participants about Nazarbayev University, highlighting its academic programmes, research strengths, modern facilities and international outlook. He appreciated the academic and technological initiatives being pursued by PMAS-AAUR and expressed the hope that the partnership would result in meaningful and sustainable collaboration between the two universities.
As part of the visit, the delegation toured several advanced research and innovation facilities at PMAS-AAUR, including the Center for Precision Agriculture (C4PA), National Center of Industrial Biotechnology (NCIB), Green Al Hydroponic Unit, and the Centre for Modern Agriculture & Water-Efficient Technologies.
The visiting delegation showed keen interest in the university’s advanced research facilities, modern technologies and specialised equipment.
The visit concluded with the exchange of souvenirs as a gesture of goodwill and friendship between PMAS-AAUR and Nazarbayev University.
