RAWALPINDI: Minister of State for Federal Education & Professional TrainingWajiha Qamar on Saturday said that the federal government was taking practical steps to equip youth with modern technical and entrepreneurial skills.

She was speaking at the concluding ceremony of the first Module of the Faculty Development Programme (Training of Trainers – TOT) titled ‘Advancing Social Entrepreneurship in Agriculture for Sustainable Peace Building’ in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR).

The minister stressed that collaboration among educational institutions, industries, and international organizations is essential for sustainable development and long-term peace.

She was the chief guest at the ceremony while Dr. Ahmad Khawar Shahzad, Punjab Center of Excellence was guest of honour.

The closing ceremony was also attended by the participants of the training programme, comprising the faculty members.

Researchers, experts, trainers, and resource persons from various universities and institutions who delivered lectures during the training sessions, were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that integrating technical education, agricultural innovation and social entrepreneurship can generate sustainable employment opportunities for young people.

Dr Ahmad Khawar Shahzad highlighted that sustainable peace building cannot be achieved without empowering communities economically and intellectually. He remarked that programs like this faculty development initiative equip educators with modern knowledge and practical approaches that can inspire students to become agents of positive social change.

While addressing, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman stated that agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and that social entrepreneurship can create new opportunities for youth and rural communities. He emphasized that universities must actively contribute to social development, innovation, and peace building through research, education and community engagement.

The Vice Chancellor thanks to Prof. Syed Hussain Haider, Senior Legal Expert UNODC and Syed Arsalan Shah, Advisor UNODC for their valuable collaboration, dedication, and efforts in organizing the Faculty Development Program. He highlighted that such joint initiatives play an important role in bringing positive social change.

The main objective of the Faculty Development Program was to enhance the professional capacities of faculty members, promote social entrepreneurship in agriculture, empower youth and introduce practical strategies for sustainable peace building.

Faculty members appreciated the program and shared that the training provided them with valuable insights and practical knowledge regarding social entrepreneurship models, community engagement, agricultural development and sustainable peace building.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2026