TOBA TEK SINGH: The deteriorating soil health is causing serious threats to food security in the country and technology interventions and appropriate crop rotation can address theissue.

University of Agriculture of Faisalabad (UAF) Vice Chancellor Dr Zulfiqar Ali said while addressing a delegation of the 37th Senior Management Course of the National Institute of Public A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Islamabad, led by Fauzia Aftab, on Tuesday.

He said the agricultural sector was facing serious challenges, including climate change, low productivity, soil degradation and other issues. He said the university was producinghighly skilled and professionals who can change the agricultural sector.

He said improving soil health is fundamental for sustainable farming.

He underlined the urgent need to implement comprehensive soil management techniques to combat declining soil fertility and to educate farmers on adopting these practices.

He said extension services and digital communication tools could play a key role in bridging the gap between research and field application, especially for small farmers.

UAF Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Sarwar Khan also spoke.

LETTER OF INTENT: Dr Rauf-i-Azam, vice chancellor of the Government College University Faisalabad(GCUF), and Faiz Rasool, senior policy adviser at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (Gain), signed a letter of intent (LoI) to initiate collaboration in curriculum development.

A GCUF spokesperson said that under the partnership, GCUF will design a national curriculum for food science, technology and human nutrition and dietetics.

The initiative will be guided by GAIN experts in consultation with academic and industry professionals from across Pakistan. The collaboration will align with the framework and policies of the Higher Education Commission, ensuring academic excellence and national relevance.

MEETING: University of Kamalia (UoK) Vice Chancellor Dr Yasir Nawab met with PunjabMinister for Higher Education Rana Sikandar Hayat to discusstheongoingprogress and strategic direction of the university.

The meeting covered a range of strategic topics essential to the university`s development, including the adoption of a hybrid teaching model with online lectures by internationally renowned professors to enhance academic delivery.

The minister assured continued support from the Punjab government in strengthening higher education across the province and enabling institutions like the University of Kamalia to play a leading role in regional development.