PHEC Team Visits UAF To Inspect Academic, Research, Physical Infrastructure
Published September 03, 2026 | 08:40 PM
FAISALABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Sep, 2026) A high-level Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team from the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) visited the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF) on Thursday to inspect and physically verify the academic, research, and physical infrastructure of its agriculture and allied programs.
A UAF spokesman stated that the inspection is part of a province-wide review to evaluate academic capacity, maintain institutional standards, and identify resource gaps across agricultural institutions in Punjab.
Dr Khalid Saif Ullah, Chairperson of the National Accreditation Council for Education in Agriculture (NAEAC), led the delegation, which included:
- Dr Mumtaz Khan, Director Accreditation, PHEC
- Javaid Iqbal, Coordinator
- Prof Dr Shakeel Ahmed and Prof Dr M. Razzaq from Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan
- Prof Dr Ejaz Ashraf, former Sargodha University faculty member
- Khalid Mahmood, Faisalabad Division Agriculture Extension Director
The delegation met with Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali, UAF Vice Chancellor, at the Syndicate Room.
Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali emphasized the importance of independent evaluation for aligning agricultural education with field realities. He stressed the need for stronger linkages between academic research, agricultural extension, and farming communities to address national food security challenges effectively.
Dr Khalid Saif Ullah stated that the primary objective of the monitoring exercise was to ensure adherence to national quality benchmarks and produce graduates equipped to tackle real-world agricultural challenges. He highlighted the significance of maintaining rigorous accreditation standards, upgrading laboratory infrastructure, and fostering hands-on technical training for modernizing Pakistan's agricultural sector and promoting rural innovation. He appreciated UAF's role in food security and skilled manpower development.
Deans Dr Ghulam Murtaza (Agriculture) and Dr Qamar Bilal (Animal Husbandry) briefed the evaluators on institutional capacity, enrollment metrics, and ongoing research initiatives.
The visit was coordinated by Prof Dr Amna Sahar, UAF Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) Director, and Ahmad Raza Sattar, Additional Director.
The delegation conducted physical audits of key departments, including:
- Plant Pathology
- Agronomy
- Entomology
- Soil Science
- Forestry
- Institute of Horticultural Sciences
- Centre for Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB)
- Plant Breeding and Genetics (PBG)
- Institute of Animal and Dairy Sciences
The evaluators examined laboratory infrastructure, faculty credentials, practical training arrangements, and administrative records.