Islamabad: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan held a pre-departure ceremony for 107 agricultural trainees from Sindh set to leave for a specialized three-month training program in China. This initiative, part of the Prime Minister’s Initiative for Short-Term Training of 1,000 Pakistani Agricultural Professionals, aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of Pakistani agricultural professionals.
According to Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, the ceremony featured Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Ms. Wajiha Qamar as the chief guest, alongside Executive Director HEC Dr. Zia Ul Haq and other prominent figures. Dr. Zia underscored the significance of the training program in fortifying agricultural collaboration with China, equipping professionals with advanced knowledge and practical skills. He revealed that 885 agricultural professionals from various provinces have already completed similar training in China. The Sindh quota faced challenges due to insufficient eligible candidates, but a special directive from the Prime Minister ensured its utilization, leading to local preparatory training at Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam.
Ms. Wajiha Qamar highlighted the importance of Pakistan-China cooperation in agriculture and stressed the need for professional training to modernize Pakistan’s agricultural sector. She encouraged trainees to apply their knowledge to address agricultural challenges upon their return. The orientation session covered travel arrangements, institutional requirements, and the trainees’ responsibilities in China. The focus was on transferring acquired skills to Pakistan’s agricultural sector through research, technology adoption, professional training, and farmer outreach.
The trainees will engage in hands-on training at Northwest A&F University in nine priority areas, including modern agricultural technologies, crop improvement, and digital agriculture. This initiative represents a significant investment in agricultural human capital, reflecting the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to capacity-building and sustainable development in the sector.