RAWALPINDI, Aug 12: The syndicate of University of Arid Agriculture (UAA) approved the university’s Rs234.828 million surplus budget for 2005-06 here on Friday, official sources told Dawn.

The budget, which is record high in the history of the university, was approved in the syndicate’s 37th meeting presided over by UAA Vice-Chancellor Prof (Dr) Khalid Mahmood Khan.

The budget, presented by treasurer Mohammad Mubarik Ali Shah, was unanimously approved by the syndicate after having detailed deliberations.

The treasurer informed the meeting about the financial affairs of the university. He said the tempo and capacity of overall fund utilization had been increased to a remarkable extent.

According to the budget documents, Rs229.131 million would be spent by the university on various activities against its income of Rs234.828 million.

An amount of Rs47.737 million has been allocated for various developmental projects including establishment of the Department of Range Management and Forestry, cloning over-expression of Somato-Tropin and its use as a lectogen agent, strengthening of the Department of Soil Science and Soil and Water Conservation, production of pathogen free horticultural plants, and construction of hostels for visiting faculty and students.

Senior representatives of the finance, agriculture and livestock departments of the Punjab government also attended the meeting and appreciated the university for carrying out different projects. They were of the opinion that with the provision of residential as well as academic and research facilities on the campus, the UAA would be able to further expand itself and provide more opportunities to students and teachers.

The university, which was already an emerging centre of excellence in research and education, would gain international status if facilities were increased and budget was utilized, they added.