University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

TheUniversity of Agriculture, Faisalabad (Pakistan) (UAF) offers undergraduatestudy programs in 28 departments and institutes developed aroundvarious disciplines in agricultural sciences, life sciences, engineering, foodscience, basic sciences, social sciences and business. The UAF offers 165degree programs at undergraduate and post graduate level. The UAF offersundergraduate programs at its four sub-campuses, i.e., Toba Tek Singh, Burewala(Vehari), Depalpur (Okara), and Postgraduate Agriculture Research Station. Fiveinstitutes affiliated with the university offer Diploma in AgriculturalSciences. To develop a broad understanding of agriculture, FSc (Pre-Agri) atUAF Community College by inducting 10th grade from the District of the Punjab. Combinedadmission system has been introduced for undergraduate degree programs inagricultural sciences. The students admitted to the program take generalcourses for two semesters and in the next two semesters they have a choice forenrolling courses from a range of more than 100 diversified Elective Courses.Then they select majors and degree programs. New undergraduate degree programsand majors in Microbiology, Food Engineering, Biotechnology, EnvironmentalScience, Animal Husbandry, Agriculture Education, Agribusiness, Food Technology,Business, Agri. Marketing and Human Nutrition & dietician  have been instituted. A module based systemfor lecturing to large groups has been initiated. This innovative educationalpractice worked very well for effective deployment of resources with enhancedlearning environment provided to the students for teaching theory in largegroups and practical and tutorials in small batches. To complement atransparent and authentic Online Attendance System, with attendance accessibleto the students has been introduced. These initiatives have been very usefulfor effective class management and Quality Assurance. Special initiatives forgender development have been taken, which include establishment of Day CareCentre, Women Medical Centre, Women Residential Complex, Women Gymnasium andEthics Committee. To increase access to education, several initiatives havebeen taken in the student financial aid system. This includes institution ofUAF Alumni Scholarships from all around the world, establishment of Endowmentfor Students Scholarships, and to maintain the self-esteem of the students, PEEFScholarships are being offered along with Need-Based Scholarships. Anotherinitiative has been taken for hiring of students on hourly basis forLaboratory, Field and Office work with the objectives of supporting theirstudies, training and inculcating dignity of work in them. Also TeachingAssistantship has been made mandatory for the PhD students. Along with onesemester regular internship, International Student Internship Programs havealso been launched to promote cultural, religious, ideological andinstitutional mixes for enhanced learning, understanding, acceptability andopen mindedness. Students from various universities of Australia, Germany,Malaysia and Muscat do their internships at UAF. They live with the localstudents in the hostels and have a wider interaction through participation incurricular and co-curricular activities at the UAF. Out of total 26000enrollment >12000 female students is the indication of broad minders of thesociety.