The Sindh Agriculture University conferred academic degrees on 350 graduates at its 10th convocation in Tando Jam, on Thursday. Around two PhD scholars, 57 postgraduates received degrees at the event, and 24 medals were awarded to best students of different faculties, departments, disciplines and extra-curricular activities.
Minister for Education Jam Mehtab Dahar was the chief guest and Minister for Works and Services Imdad Ali Pitafi was guest of honour, while former Sindh University VC Mazharul Haq Siddiqui, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology VC Dr Mohammed Aslam Uqaili, VC Shaheed Benzaeer Bhutto University Medical and Health Sciences Dr KB Mirbahar, ex-VC Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Dr A Ahad Abro, VC Indus University Dr Jam Muhammad Abro were honorary guests during occasion.
Speaking at the convocation, Dahar congratulated the successful students and observed that students should not completely depend on their teachers to teach them but also make their own efforts to learn from books, which could teach them best. Jam Mehtab Dahar said it was fact that agriculture played pivotal role in turning the wheel of economic growth of the country, contributing to over 20 percent of GDP, adding it was the primary supplier of raw material to the industry as well as contributes substantially to Pakistan's exports besides absorbing 44 percent of the total labour force.
"Most of the economic activities are based on agriculture sector since agriculture not only ensure food security to the nation but also provides cotton, sugarcane, rice, oil-seed, meat and milk to various agro-based, small scale and large scale industries as a raw material. Besides, agriculture development has significant impact on rural development. If productivity increases in agriculture it reduces poverty and stimulates non-farm employment too. Hence, our all-economic activities are based on agricultural sector," he added.
He said "I am aware that agriculture is facing a lot of problems which needs to be addressed immediately for promising better future. Climate change, increasing poverty and lack of access of common farmer to agricultural input, water logging and salinity, as well as shortage of canal water are common problems of farming communities. There is need to work more enthusiastically."
SAU VC Dr Mujeebuddin Sahrai said that during past few years, the university had pursued its policies as to enhance student enrolment, improve quality of degree programmes, pursue human resource development for the faculty members, focus upon problem-oriented R&D programs, and to establish effective linkages with the stakeholders. He said student enrolment had already improved whereby SAU had the current enrolment of 6,613 students (includes eight percent girl students). "Annual intake of students in undergraduate programs is about 1500 students and about 500 in postgraduate degree programs. It is also matter of honour for me to inform that PhD admission has increased from 45 during 2014 to 97 in 2015," he said.
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