ISLAMABAD, Aug 20: The University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi, and United Nations Development Programme have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaboration during the course of the UNDP-funded National Urban Poverty Alleviation Programme.

The MoU was signed on Friday by the UAA vice-chancellor, Prof (Dr) Khalid Mahmood Khan and UNDP resident representative Lena Lindberg. Under the MoU, the UAA's Institute of Management Sciences and the UNDP will work together during the course of the poverty alleviation programme for its effective running and management.

The UAA's institute and the UNDP decided to collaborate due to a number of common frontiers they were striving for, besides for a sustainable system of urban management/development. The programme is unique and an indigenous one and would be launched for the first time in Pakistan with the collaboration of a university.

Speaking on the occasion, the UNDP representative said though it was the beginning of mutual understanding between the UNDP and the UAA, yet the UNDP expected longtime relationship as it believed that the arid university was a progressive, advanced, enthusiastic and exciting partner having latest, approved and diversified knowledge in all areas.

"The arid university doesn't look like only an agriculture university, rather it seems to be a multidimensional and multidisciplinary institution having international repute and that is the reason for choosing it to launch such type of a project," she added.

The UAA vice-chancellor said this collaboration would be beneficial for both the partners and the university would contribute a lot from its side as it believed in excellence and productivity.

"We are already trying to impart education for urban development because we want to provide a launching pad for grass- roots development in agriculture sector," he added. Discussing national-level drawbacks, Mr Khan said the country lacked infrastructure not the manpower, and its biggest problem was how to retain the skilled work force.