MULTAN, May 22: A seminar on “Biotechnology: Future prospects and prosperity” was held here on Tuesday at IMS Hall under the aegis of the biotechnology institute of the Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU).

Dr Anwar Naseem, Chairman of National Commission on biotechnology, was the chief guest while BZU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Zafarullah presided over the seminar. Dr A R Shakoori, director school of biological sciences, Punjab University, was the guest speaker.

Speaking on the occasion, BZU VC Dr Zafarullah said biotechnology was the science of new millennium that would enable scientists to develop better crop and biopharmaceuticals.

He said the varsity would offer BS-Biotechnology, M Phil and PhD programmes shortly.

Biotechnology institute director Dr Maqsood Ahmed said the institute had recently been established with the Rs38 million grant given by the Higher Education Commission and was equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories for advanced research.