Foreign training programme reviewed for 1,000 agriculture professionals

Islamabad:Planning and development minister Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday assessed the plan for short-term training of 1,000 agriculture professionals in China and underscored the need to prioritise individuals with the highest potential to ensure a strong return on investment from the initiative.

"The selection process must be inclusive ensuring representation of all provinces, and go for only those candidates who has the potential to make a significant contribution to the agriculture sector," the minister told the meeting. The participants included planning secretary Awais Manzur Sumra, education secretary Mohyuddin Wani, Higher Education Commission chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, senior officials of the food and finance ministries, and representatives of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Secretariat.

Mr Iqbal also stressed the importance of developing a structured action plan for the training initiative. He said the knowledge gained by agriculture experts should be effectively utilised by the provincial planning and development departments for further training and capacity-building initiatives.

The minister highlighted the "urgency to increase investment in higher education" and said Pakistan's tertiary education enrolment rate stood at 13 per cent, which was significantly low compared with the rates of other regional countries.

He called for a coordinated effort between the federal and provincial governments to match funds and address the resource gap in higher education. "This programme holds immense strategic importance, and a dedicated Project Management Unit should be established within the implementing agency, utilising the staff members," he said.

Mr Iqbal said the first phase of the training programme would see 300 agriculture professionals sent to China, followed by a second batch of 300 and a third batch of 400. He added that the phased approach would ensure better resource management and maximise the impact of the training programme.

The minister ordered the formation of a committee, comprising the nominees of HEC and finance, foreign affairs and planning ministries, to monitor the progress of the project, saying the panel should meet every fortnight.

Also in the day, planning minister Ahsan Iqbal inaugurated the inaugural session of the First International Conference on 3D Printing and Vacuum Technology hosted by the National Centre for Physics at Quaid-i-Azam University here and emphasised the key role of science and technology in driving national development and progress. He urged scientists, researchers, and innovators to work tirelessly to position Pakistan at the forefront of technological advancements.

The three-day conference brought together more than 50 eminent researchers and scientists from around the world to discuss the latest advancements in these transformative technologies. The minister highlighted the profound potential of 3D printing and vacuum technology and said those innovations were not just technological milestones but were catalysts for reshaping industries, redefining economies, and revolutionising everyday life.