November 22, 2008	Saturday	Ziqa'ad 23, 1429

RAWALPINDI, Nov 21: Italy will provide financial as well as technical support to the University of Arid Agriculture Rawalpindi for the establishment of an Institute of Agro-Environment to promote research activities related to plant eco-physiology.

This was stated by Italian Ambassador Vincenzo Prati while speaking at the concluding ceremony of a five-day international training course on “Plant eco-physiology in a global changed environment” organised by the department of environmental sciences at the university on Friday.

According to a press release, the ambassador said the Italian government would provide financial support for starting research activities in Pakistan in collaboration with the National Research Council (NRC), Italy.

Showing his determination for the promotion of science and technology, Mr Prati said his government intended to establish the institute in Pakistan to promote agro-environmental activities in the region. The establishment of the institute would help enhance research activities in the field of environment and allied disciplines.

The ambassador also visited the tissue culture laboratory and saw the olive plants that had been imported from Italy and multiplied at the campus. Taking keen interest in the tissue culture manipulations, he said there should be efforts to enhance olive production in Pakistan to increase the use of olive oil in the country and reduce the oil import load.

The training course was organised in collaboration with the Italian ministry of foreign affairs.

Dr Mauro Centritto and Dr Marco Lauteri, senior scientists of NRC, Italy, briefed the participants on the course and its probable impact on understanding climate change processes and plant functions.