Interpersonal skills: UAF to establish institute to facilitate rural development

University of Faisalabad has expanded its outreach programme to foster agricultural growth

FAISALABAD: University of Faisalabad (UAF) Academic Council on Thursday decided to establish an Institute of Linguistics and Culture to polish the interpersonal skills of students.

The institute would make students cognizant of societal norms in rural areas to equip them with skills needed to contribute towards the development of agriculture. The decision regarding the establishment of the institute was taken during a meeting of the council that was presided over by UAF Vice Chancellor Iqrar Ahmed.

The council also decided to merge the Livestock Management Department, the Animal Breeding and Genetics Department, the Poultry Sciences Department and the Institute of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology into a Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences.

The step has been taken to meet international standards and to further advances in the dairy sector.

It was also decided to relax the admission criteria for BSc Agriculture programme by allowing FSc pre-engineering students to apply for the programme.

VC Iqrar Ahmed said the university had expanded its Outreach Programme to persuade farmers to adopt modern technology and agricultural techniques. He said the establishment of the Institute for Linguistics and Culture would play a crucial role in this regard.

Ahmed urged faculty members to hone the abilities of the students in a competent fashion.

He said the varsity had been striving to address the issues confronting farmers. Ahmed said agricultural progress was inextricably linked with poverty alleviation and rural development.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22^nd, 2014.