LAHORE: The Punjab government on Tuesday appointed Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan (S.I) as chairperson of the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC).

The seat had been vacant for six months after Prof Shahid Munir was appointed vice chancellor of the University of Engineering and Technology of Lahore.

Punjab Higher Education Department issued a notification stating that Prof Khan would hold the office for a period of four years.

Prof Khan has worked as vice-chancellor of University of Agricultural of Faisalabad and was decorated with Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 2024. In recognition of his services in education, agriculture and research, the government also awarded him the Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 2012.

He earned his PhD degree from the University of California, USA. He has supervised more than 100 MPhil/PhD students, secured more than 40 funded research projects, published more than 150 refereed publications, edited more than 50 books and proceedings, released 13 cultivars/varieties and established several new centers and institutions. He has been a Fellow of Pakistan Academy of Sciences since 2007.

Prof Khan is a recipient of Ordre des Palmes Académiques (civil award by the French government-with the grade of officer) for his contribution to agricultural research and education. He also served as a member of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.

During his tenure, the UAF has emerged 34th best university of the globe in agriculture and running different international research projects including Pak Korea Nutrition Center, International Seed Testing Lab, and Center for Advanced Studies, and others.

He is a scientist of eminence and bestowed with astute management, research and academic skills. He pioneered the research on breeding seedless Kinnow and introduced ten new varieties of mango. He has released a potato variety (PARS-70).

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2025