LAHORE: There is an abundance of algae in Pakistan and it can be utilised to produce biofuel, resolve a number of agricultural and medicinal issues and produce several food items without using chemicals in Pakistan.

This was stated by speakers at the inaugural session of a one-week international psychological training workshop organised by the Punjab University Institute of Botany`s (IoB) Phycology Research Laboratory in collaboration with the International Society for Applied Phychology, Pakistan Science Foundation, Higher Education Commission and the Punjab Higher Education Commission at its auditorium here on Monday.

Faculty of Life Sciences Dean Prof Dr Javed Iqbal Qazi, IoB Director Prof Dr Abdul Nasir Khalid, Chief Organiser Prof Dr GhazalaYasmeen Butt, researcher from various internationa and Pakistani universitie and a number of student participated in the event.

Prof Dr Javed Iqbal Qaz said interdisciplinary research work was being pro moted across the world and through such joint research efforts, the scientists could contribute to resolve several issues being faced by the country.

Prof Dr Ghazala Yasmeen said continuous research on plants had enabled them to fulfil the expanding demands of human society for food, shelter, medicine etc.

She said the workshop was aimed at creating awareness about algae, algal collection techniques, identification of algae and selection of efficient strain of algae, its commercial uses, growing freshwater microgale to produce biofuel and enhancing lipid content as alternative and renewable fuel tos meet human requirements.

l However, she said, the s field of phycology had been s badly neglected in Pakistan while we could contribute i to the development of the r country, society and relevant industries in this field.

I She said we could copewith the food and feed shortage and get the best quality food without using chemicals. She said it was the need of the hour to train researchers to gather new ideas from experts and try to meet the new demands for a sustainable future.