Science education: University of Agriculture to set up biotechnology chair

Molecular, biochemical techniques workshop begins.

FAISALABAD:

A biochemistry centre and a biotechnology chair will be established at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF).

This was announced by UAF Vice Chancellor Iqrar Ahmad Khan on Tuesday at the inaugural session of a five-day workshop on Imparting Practical Training in Molecular and Biochemical Techniques.

It was organised by the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) at the UAF New Senate Hall.

Dr Khan said the university was trying to replace top-down teaching with innovative learning techniques practised in top educational institutions. He said the scientific community must conduct research in the field of biotechnology. He said collaboration was the only way to reap the benefit of scientific innovations.



He said they were committed to introduce online learning techniques in the curriculum, including video conferencing.

Faculty of Sciences Dean Dr Munir Ahmad said science is changing old practices by replacing them with new innovations. He said the challenges in practising science in Pakistan included the non-availability of equipment and trained personnel. He said that even where machines were available in laboratories, they were lying unused.

Dr Amir Jameel said refresher courses were mandatory for scientists and teachers to update them on the latest scientific advances.

Thirty people from various higher education institutions from all four provinces are participating in the workshop.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28^th, 2012.