The Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Sukkur, and the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF) on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a programme aimed at providing management skills to agriculture graduates.
UAF Vice Chancellor Iqrar Ahmed Khan said a feasibility report was being prepared for the joint four-year bachelor’s programme.
He said a committee comprising four faculty members from each institution had been formed for the purpose.
Khan said he was of the view that many graduates had strong technical skills but were weak when it came to communication skills.
IBA Sukkur Director Nisar Ahmed Siddique said qualified manpower was needed to face the contemporary challenges.
“IBA is taking steps to impart quality education… 90 per cent of our graduates get jobs in the private sector… we have to prepare them accordingly,” he said.
Former agriculture secretary Arif Nadeem said agriculture was the backbone of the economy. He said the country could increase its agricultural production by adopting modern techniques.
“The joint degree programme will pave the way for trained manpower to cater to the need of the 21st century… Food security is an area of concern,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 19th, 2014.