Pakistan Advances Food System Transformation in University Curricula

Islamabad, In an ambitious move to align higher education with global sustainability goals, Pakistani universities and academic institutions have convened in Islamabad for a two-day National Consultation Workshop to integrate new courses on food system transformation into university curricula. This initiative, led by the National Agriculture Education Accreditation Council (NAEAC) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC), in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), seeks to incorporate advanced food systems studies into agriculture and food sciences programs across the country.

According to Press Information Department, the workshop, held on April 17th and 18th, aims to equip future agricultural leaders with the knowledge and tools necessary to advance food security and sustainability within Pakistan. This educational overhaul is a part of Pakistan’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG-2), which focuses on ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Professor Dr. Fayyaz-ul Hassan Sahi, Chairman of the NAEAC, emphasized the critical role of academia in transforming Pakistan’s food systems. He assured attendees of NAEAC’s continued support and technical leadership in refining curricula to better address contemporary challenges in food systems. Farrah Naz, Country Director at GAIN, highlighted the importance of adopting robust approaches to enhance understanding and implementation of food system transformations.

Faiz Rasool, Head of Policy and Advocacy at GAIN, outlined the workshop’s key objectives, which include designing innovative curriculum modules, providing training for faculty, facilitating interdisciplinary research, and advocating for the importance of food systems transformation within the higher education sector. The workshop also aims to implement a framework to assess the impact of these educational initiatives.

Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), noted that the workshop was a collaborative effort involving academia, government, NGOs, and international partners to finalize action plans and ensure alignment with national and international standards. This collaborative approach underscores a significant step toward enhancing Pakistan’s food security through educational innovation and interdisciplinary cooperation.