Faculty training programme launched at UHE

LAHORE:The first ever one-month faculty training programme launched at the University of Home Economics (UHE), here, in collaboration with the National Academy for Higher Education (NAHE) under the Higher Education Commission (HEC) here on Monday.

The inaugural ceremony of the programme was attended by Prof Dr Zaib-un-nisa Hussain (VC UHE), Ghulam Nabi (DG HEC), Saleem Ghauri (CEO of Netsol) and others.

While addressing the ceremony, Prof Zaib stated that the month-long training programme would equip UHE faculty with modern teaching methodologies and pedagogies. She emphasised that this first-ever HEC-led training initiative would contribute significantly to the academic growth of the university. Prof Zaib further added that UHE was committed to empowering its faculty with modern skills to ensure quality teaching in classrooms, thereby securing a brighter future for the students. She announced that training courses would be conducted for all faculty members, and students will be equipped with skills aligned with the national needs of Pakistan.

Saleem Ghauri, while addressing the event, remarked that Artificial Intelligence was set to replace traditional roles in the IT industry, and universities must now focus on AI-related fields. He asserted that by educating students according to market demands, Pakistan’s economy and future can be strengthened. Ghulam Nabi, in his address, stated that the HEC faculty training programme was designed to enhance the professional skills of teachers.

Moot highlights importance of food security

Speakers at the International Conference on Food and Applied Sciences (ICFAS-25) at the University of Okara (UO) Monday emphasised the importance of food security amidst the rising threats of climate change.

A large number of academicians, researchers, food technologists and experts from food industries attended the moot. The opening ceremony was chaired by UO Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Sajjad Mubin and keynote speakers were Prof Dr Muhammad Wajid, Khurram Iqbal, Rameez Zarrar, Prof Dr Imran Pasha, Tariq Sarwar Awan, Prof Dr Tahir Zahoor, Prof Dr Faqir Muhammad Anjum, Prof Dr Mansoor Akbar Kundi, Prof Dr Muhammad Naseeruddin and Dr Tahir Munir Butt. Prof Mubin highlighted two crucial areas such as climate change and food security and encouraged researchers to explore impacts of environmental changes on food production in the long run. He argued that finding a sustainable solution of food production was critical to avert food shortage in future. He also discussed the significance of healthy nutrition in cutting down healthcare expenditure.

Prof Wajid encouraged the participants to learn new research trends through the conference. Prof Naseer talked about the latest technologies of food preservation. He argued that Pakistan, being an agrarian society, needed extensive work in the area of food security. Prof Faqir discussed various technological interventions in the field of food sciences.