Sahiwal, September 10, 2015:
COMSATS Sahiwal and DRDF - USAID Signed a MoU for the Development of Dairy Sector
in Punjab.
At a ceremony held at COMSATS Sahiwal, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between
COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Sahiwal (CIIT) and Dairy and Rural Development
Foundation (DRDF) - USAID was signed to collaborate in trainings of Master Trainers
and staff to achieve the ultimate goal of developing the dairy and livestock sector
in Punjab.
Professor Dr. Abdul Waheed, Director CIIT Sahiwal, said in his welcome address that
CIIT Sahiwal is committed to play a lead role in the development of Dairy Industry
especially in Sahiwal region as the DAIRY HUB of Punjab. He added that in order
to achieve it CIIT Sahiwal has planned to institute Postgraduate Certification in
Dairy, Livestock and Poultry farming and Business Management in fall 2016 for DVM
and Animal Science Graduates. Therefore COMSATS, in partnership with DRDF and other
industry stakeholders and public sector, seeks to build the capacity of USAID –
DRDF Dairy Project’s master trainers and staff to help them transform the lives
of rural communities in Punjab.”
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Salman Shah, a well renowned economist and DRDF Chairman
said, “The Dairy Project’s training programs will continue to empower unemployed
rural youth to pursue the path of self-employment. I would like to extend my best
wishes to the first graduating batch of Master Trainers trained by COMSATS, and
I am certain that they will significantly contribute to achieving the project’s
overall goals.
Under the MoU, CIIT Sahiwal will impart hands-on trainings to USAID – DRDF Dairy
Project’s master trainers, and/or staff, curriculum development and certifications
to trainees and project beneficiaries. CIIT will ensure that with improved knowledge
and skills, the certified trainers will be entitled to conduct subsequent trainings
for Women Livestock Extension Workers, Farmers and Artificial Insemination Technicians
(AITs) to improve the profitability of farmers and bring socio-economic change in
the lives of rural communities in Punjab.
USAID Punjab Senior Development Advisor, Sajjad Moghal, was also present at the
ceremony. Mr. Moghal, said, “Today’s ceremony highlights the importance that the
United States Government places on deepening the impact of development assistance
to the people of Pakistan. Our partnership with the Dairy and Rural Development
Foundation (DRDF) is an excellent model of public-private partnership. USAID supports
initiatives such as the USAID – DRDF Dairy Project which seeks to improve the economic
opportunities of farmers and rural youth, as well as focus on the capacity building
of the project staff.”
Other participants at the ceremony included DCO Sahiwal, Mr. Asif Iqbal; DG Extension
Livestock & Dairy Development Department (L&DD) Dr. Nawaz Saeed; DRDF Chief Executive
Officer Ahmed Sajjad, USAID-DRDF Dairy Project Chief of Party Jack Moser, and USAID
– DRDF Dairy Project General Manager Field Operations Dr. Umar Farooq.
After MoU signing ceremony, Mr. Asif Iqbal, DCO Sahiwal distributed certificates
and souvenirs among participants of master training, resource persons and the management
committee. He appreciated the efforts of the management of CIIT Sahiwal for taking
such initiative for betterment of rural and dairy development in Punjab.
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