Training: University to offer pre-degree course with TEVTA

An MoU was signed in this regard at TEVTA secretariat

LAHORE: Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA), in collaboration with Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture Multan (MNS UAM), will offer a two years pre-agriculture programme at the TEVTA Institute in Multan.  This course will help to promote the agriculture sector in and outside the country, especially in southern Punjab.  In this regard, an MoU was signed between the TEVTA and the MNS UAM on Wednesday at TEVTA Secretariat. Chairman TEVTA Irfan Qaiser Sheikh and MNS UAM Vice Chancellor Asif Ali signed the memorandum. Director External Linkages Dr Shafqat Saeed, along with TEVTA Officers Akhtar Abbas Bharwana, Amir Aziz, Umar Farooq, Azhar Iqbal Shad, Hamid Ghani Anjum, Maqsood Ahmad and Sarfraz Anwar were present at this ceremony.

Sheikh said that after consultation with national and multi-national companies, the TEVTA has introduced demand-driven short courses to implement the vision of chief minister Punjab in order to increase job opportunities for the youth of the province of Punjab. He said the Authority and University will devise a mechanism to fix an admissions quota for TEVTA pass-outs in higher degree programmes at MNS UAM.

This arrangement will provide a better opportunity to the students and faculty members of MNS UAM and TEVTA to contribute to the development and promotion of agriculture sector. The agreement will also build cooperation between the MNS UAM and the TEVTA and promote linkages between the agriculture sector and national and international stakeholders.

Furthermore, the TEVTA will provide logistical support for the execution of training activities related to the programme as and when required. The TEVTA will also offer short courses for gardening, tunnel farming and floriculture, starting from September this year.

Vice Chancellor Ali said that there was a great potential in the agriculture sector in the province and necessary steps would be taken to help the agriculture sector reach its fullest potential.

He further said that the MNS UAM was a premier university and reputed hub of agricultural knowledge in southern Punjab.  Moreover, the university will share technical expertise with the TEVTA for the development/revision of agriculture-based courses in line with national and international standards.

The MNS UAM will also conduct exams for its pre-agriculture programme and will facilitate the TEVTA in connection with conducting examination through the provision of technical human resources in a mutually agreed manner. The certification for this will be carried out by the MNS UAM.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2016.