SAU launches two-week capacity building program for China training

HYDERABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Mar, 2026) The Vice Chancellor of Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam Dr Altaf Ali Siyal on Wednesday urged the need for young graduates to take the lead in bringing innovation to the agriculture sector to ensure sustainable development and effectively tackle challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, declining soil fertility and food security.

According to the SAU spokesperson, he expressed these views while addressing the inaugural ceremony of a two-week “Crash Capacity Building Program” launched at the university in collaboration with the ministry of national food security and research and the Higher education Commission (HEC). The program aims to provide graduates with opportunities for advanced training in China.

Dr Siyal termed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s initiative to send 1,000 agricultural graduates to China for international exposure and advanced training as visionary and timely. He noted that China had made remarkable progress in fields of agricultural research, hybrid seed production, water management technologies, protected cultivation techniques and farm mechanization. By learning from these developments, Pakistani youth would equip themselves with modern skills and a global outlook.

He reiterated that the university’s mission had always been to produce competent graduates, researchers and agricultural experts. Urging participants to fully benefit from the two-week program, he said that those selected for the three-month advanced training in China would represent not only their families and institutions but also the country’s entire agricultural community.

In her online address on the occasion, the Director General (Scholarships and Global Engagement) at the Higher Education Commission Dr Ayesha Ikram said the government was committed to harnessing youth potential. She informed that more than 200 young participants from Sindh were receiving training under this program and will benefit from high-level training in China. This initiative will provide them with opportunities to gain international exposure and adopt modern technologies, which can help ensure the development and advancement of the country’s agricultural sector.

Earlier, Dean of the faculty of crop protection Dr Abdul Mubeen Lodhi briefed the audience about the program. He said that 180 candidates including 147 male and 33 female participants were enrolled in the two-week long training, during which expert faculty members will deliver lectures on various agricultural subjects. An examination will be conducted at the end of the sessions, and successful candidates will be recommended to the Higher Education Commission for scholarships to pursue training in China.

The ceremony was also addressed by Dr Zaheer Ahmed Nizamani and Dr Saleem Maseeh Bhatti. Among others present were deans Dr Ghayasuddin Shah, Dr Inayatullah Rajpar, Dr Munir Ahmed Mangrio, Prof Dr Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, Registrar Ghulam Mohiuddin Qureshi and faculty members.