Higher Education Commission (HEC) has approved new Curriculum of Agriculture Engineering for higher classes under which 15 postgraduate courses would be held.
The Chairman of Curriculum Committee, Dr Muhammad Shafi Sabir, Dean, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad mentioned that the post graduation would be awarding in Post Harvest Engineering, Advanced Power and Machinery, Tillage and Tractor Dynamics, Grain Preservation and Handling, Instrumentation and Control theory, Operations Research, Mechanical Vibrations, Renewable Energy Development, Farm Machinery and Environment, Computer Modeling of Engineering System, Heat and Mass Transfer, Finite Element Theory, Advanced Machinery Design, Mechanical Failure Analysis, Physical and Thermal Properties of Biological Materials.
In his final report, Dr Altaf Ali G. Sheikh, Adviser, HEC mentioned that the Agriculture Engineering Curriculum of is a throbbing pulse of a nation. By looking at the curriculum one can judge the state of intellectual development and the state of progress of the nation.
The world has turned into a global village; new ideas and information are pouring in like a stream. It is, therefore, imperative to update our curricula regularly by introducing the recent developments in the relevant fields of knowledge, he added.
He said that the final draft prepared by the National Curriculum Revision Committee duly approved by the Competent Authority is being circulated for implementation by architectural institutions.
He further said that the objectives and purpose of the Curriculum Revision Committee was to bring uniform degrees of B.Sc. Agriculture Engineering being offered at different campuses through out Pakistan. In this context he added that a minimum credit hours requirement of 160-165 has been set by HEC keeping in view the national and international standards. A deviation of 15 to 20 percent in courses/content is expected to implement the revised curriculum at different campuses.
He was of the opinion that 30-35 credit hours should be given for M.Sc. degree programme. This may be divided into 24 credits for theory and 6 credits for thesis. One to two courses in communication skills at undergraduate level should be introduced.
Mathematics has been recognised as mother of all the discipline in this modern age.
Particular for engineering, two to three courses of mathematics should be declared compulsory, he added.
First time "Environmental Management System in Industry" also included in Agriculture Engineering. Environmental Management System, benefits of an EMS, ISO 14000, principles behind the ISO 14000 series, trade issues associated with ISO 14000, ISO 14001 audits, Guidelines for Self-monitoring and Reporting by the Industry, Guidelines for Industrial Effluents and Gaseous Emissions, Categorisation of Industries, Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (1997), Legislation For Environmental Control, and Cleaner Production Techniques for Industries now part of subject.
The following members of Agriculture Engineering Curriculum committee take part in the preparation of final draft.
Professor Badruddin, Department of Agricultural Engineering NWFP University of Engineering and Technology. Peshawar, Engr. Dr Muhammad Azam Khan, Department of Agriculture Engg.
Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, D. I. Khan, Murad Ali Assistant Professor, Department of Water Management, NWFP University of Agricultural, Peshawar, Dr Muhammad Yasin Director, Directorate of Agricultural Mechanisation, Research Institute (AMRI), P.O. Box-416, Old Shujabad Road, Multan, Engr. M. Asghar Rana, Associate Professor, University College of Agriculture, B.Z. University, Multan.
Dr Ghazanfar Abbas, Principal Staff Officer-Wheat National Agriculture Research Council, Islamabad, M. Masood Member Assistant Professor, Centre of Excellence in Water Resources, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Dr Muhammad Rafiq Chairman, Department of Irrigation and Drainage, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Dr Muhammad Saffer Mirjat, Professor, Department of Irrigation and Drainage FAE, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Engr. Muhammad Kamran Zaheer, Asstt. Manager Marketing, Al-Ghazi Tractor Sheikhupura Road, Lahore and Professor Abdur Rehman Tahir Secretary/Chairman, Department of Farm Machinery and Power, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.