Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) delegation headed by Mr. JEON Jun Ho visited Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR ) on January 10, 2013. The purpose of the visit was to cover the technical aspect and to inspect the project site of the project titled “Capacity Building Center for Agriculture and Livestock Technology ".

This center will be contributing to the capacity development initiatives of farming community taken by the AAUR through the improvement of educational infrastructure. It will also help to improve the institutional capacities by transferring technology and Korea’s experience and know-how to the Pakistani counterparts, to increase farm income through quality improvement and enrichment of products.

Total duration of the project is three years and KOICA will assist the University with the financial help of US $ 3.5 million for establishment of the Center, construction of which would be carried out by Project Management Company (PMC) of Korea.

A representative of Project Management Company from KOREA is also accompanying in the delegation in order to seek guidance from the University Authority regarding construction of proposed capacity building Center in the University premises.

The delegation also discussed technical aspects covering the development of course contents for the purposed training program under this project to the Master Trainers and the local farmers’ community of the Pothwar region. Human Resource Development of the University faculty members/administration is also part of the project.

The PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Azim Malik Khan welcome the delegation members and gave them presentation about the University. On the occasion, Deans of faculties of Crop and Food Sciences, Basic Sciences, Veterinary & Animal Sciences and Forestry, Range Management & Wildlife, Director,  University Institute of Information Technology, Director,  University Institute of Management Sciences, Director Research, Director Farm, Chief Engineer and Treasurer of the University were also present.

The KOICA officials and experts also visited the University’s’ Laboratories, different departments and Research Farm Koont in order to get first-hand knowledge about the existing training program/facilities being administrated by the University.