Oxford Of The East

By ; Salman Mubarak

Universities have played a vital role in the development of nations for the many centuries and have been one of the decisive elements in the progress of any nation especially in the fields of defense, medicine, agriculture and science.

Pakistan faces a host of challenges with trade deficit being the biggest. We have had failed attempts to fix the problem by repeated devaluations which has only helped the textile sector which in return has failed miserably to produce the desired results and paradoxically this futile exercise has quadrupled our foreign debt giving our economy a debilitating shock.

Agriculture comprises of 18% of direct and 40% of indirect GDP of Pakistan and 68% of the population earns its living through agriculture directly. Almost 48% of the workforce is directly engaged with Agriculture. Agriculture plays a very vital role in the economy of Pakistan and its development as it is the backbone of our country and major industries like cotton, sugar and flour are directly dependent on it.

Unfortunately there has been little effort in developing state art agriculture Universities and research facilities. The only solution to our problems of foreign debt and trade deficit lies in developing and achieving high volume in export through agriculture, flora culture and horticulture. For all this to happen we need top of the line Universities and in good number to produce world class human resource to educate and train stakeholders to achieve the desired results.

The Green Revolution transformed the agriculture around the globe between 1950 to 1985 and the world grain production increased by 160%. It was a major achievement which helped avoid widespread famines by feeding billions of people. The father of the Green Revolution Norman Borlogue was an agronomist from USA who led worldwide initiative which contributed to the extensive agriculture production. Weat yields nearly doubled in Mexico, Pakistan and India between 1965 to 1970 greatly improving food security for these nations.

Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture Multan is one shining example with a lot of hope for a bright future. MNSUAM has been recognized as one of the fastest growing academic institutions in the country and lived up to its primary objective which is to elevate socio-economic status of the farmers and to provide education in various faculties of agriculture and other branches of knowledge, make provisions for research and development and service to the society. There is a strong sense of openness at MNSUAM as the University actively interacts with the surrounding institutions and society at large through continuous dialogues and knowledge exchange. With learning-based environment and new perspectives, the University is contributing towsrds a better future.

In a short span of time since its establishment this remarkable institution under the leadership of it’s current Vice Chancellor Dr. Asif Ali has progressed in leaps and bounds, developing International linkages and securing both national and international Competitive Grants for:

Fog capturing wheat to fight drought stress

Hybrid Wheat, Hydroponic Soil less farming,

Fish and Shrimp Farming in Saline soil, 

ACIAR Project to enhance the productivity and profitability of pulses in Pakistan

nternational funding  from USAID, ACIAR Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research and DAAD Germany and National funding has been secured through competitive Grants from Agriculture Research Board, Higher Education Commission Punjab, Agricultural Linkages Program Punjab Skill Development Fund and Prime Minister Youth Development Fund to the tune of Rs. 100 million and Rs. 300 million respectively.

Mark of Distinction

University linkage programs for research and scholarships have been developed with:

University of CaliforniaDavis

Hochschule GeisenheimUniversity, Geisenheim Germany

Hebei Institute of International Business and Economics, China, University of Gambia

Biotechnology Research Institute, CAAS, Beijing, China, Plant Protection Research Institute, Guangzhou, China

Agriculture Science Wuhan China

Revival of lost foods like Moringa, Cheena, Millet and Beans for ensuring good health has been hallmark of the distinction MNSUA has achieved by addressing the dire situation of wheat dependence which has adversely affected the health of millions with a high prevalence of diabetes which has increased 10 folds.

MNSUAM has to its credit of organizing seminars almost on daily basis providing opportunities to students and farmers to interact and enhance their knowledge with both national and international academicians, researchers and industry leaders and organizing International conferences such as

SINO-PAK Cotton Conference, Wheat Conference, Pulses Conference

Conference on Climate Smart Agriculture

MNSUAM has the highest percentage of rural students in the country and the introduction of Organic food, hydroponics, nursery development have helped this institution stand apart and be the trend setter. Training and educating the local farmers and honoring the progressive farmers by using their experience and first hand knowledge by incorporating it to the course content is clearly a distinct trait of MNSUAM making it stand tall among its peers and deserves the honour to be called the Oxford of the East.

It is imperative that Universities like MNSUA to stay on course and remain the torch bearers, play the role of navigators and remain the vehicle of ideas simultaneously refraining from falling in the trap of becoming transporters. It is also important that Universities navigate carefully remaining cognizant of Conflict of Interest and avoid becoming business enterprises and remain focus on skill development and remain the hub of research and development.

As we walk the razors edge food security and water shortages are going to be the greatest impediments in the near future.  Unless our Universities produce scientists like Norman Borlogue and concentrate on research and find indigenous solutions to fight water shortages and pests saving the country from environmental as well as economic hazards from import of pesticides, our future looks bleak.