LAHORE: (Tuesday, September 22, 2026): Punjab University Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB) organized an inaugural ceremony of a four-day international training programme on ‘Genome Editing and Crop Biotechnology to Address Climate Challenges’ here on Tuesday.
On this occasion, PU VC Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali, Mr. Abdul Rauf Maroof from the Tajik Embassy, DG Punjab Agriculture Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, Director CEMB Prof. Dr. Moazur Rahman, Dr. Alia, representative of SESRIC, participated in the programme online, Prof. Shahid Baig from COMSTECH, experts from CEMB and OIC member states, faculty members, researchers, and a large number of students were present. Addressing the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali said that PU is the intellectual and academic heartbeat of the country. He appreciated the efforts of CEMB researchers and praised their significant work on advanced technologies such as CRISPR. He welcomed delegates from Tajikistan, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan, and urged the participants to make the most of the training programme and gain maximum knowledge and practical skills. He said that welcoming distinguished guests and participants to such an excellent workshop was a matter of great honour. Mr. Abdul Rauf Maroof thanked CEMB and PU for the invitation and said that Tajikistan and Pakistan enjoy strong and friendly relations in the fields of education, culture, science, and technology. He noted that programmes of this nature provide an important platform for strengthening institutional linkages between the two countries and creating new opportunities for mutual cooperation. He added that such programmes help further strengthen institutional ties and explore new avenues of collaboration. Prof. Shahid Baig said that PU’s CEMB is considered one of the state-of-the-art scientific and technological institutions not only in Pakistan but also in the region. He said that CEMB provides an excellent platform for learning, scientific interaction, networking, and collaboration. He further noted that the faculty comprises some of the country’s leading and highly accomplished scientists. Prof. Dr. Moazur Rahman said that CEMB has so far signed more than 20 agreements with various agri-tech organizations. He said that CEMB has extensive expertise in the field of genome editing. He also briefed the participants about various ongoing research projects and future initiatives aimed at ensuring continuity and sustainability in research activities. He mentioned plans for establishing a clean room, among other future projects. He thanked the PAFDA and COMSTECH for providing support and funding for research activities, as well as foreign experts and participants for their cooperation in the workshop. He said that during the four-day workshop, experts would provide training on modern approaches to addressing climate impacts through genome editing and crop biotechnology. He said that the four-day training programme would continue from September 22 to 25. Dr. Idrees Ahmad Nasir, a CEMB scientist and representative of Genetech, said that through collaboration with CEMB, they had successfully taken CKC cotton technology to farmers, including farmers in Sindh. He added that technologies developed at CEMB for cotton improvement are also highly important and necessary for areas of the country affected by high soil salinity. Mr. Irfan, representative of the Four Brothers Group, said that the group has CEMB alumni among its team who, as a result of the excellent training they received at CEMB, have contributed to the development of seven patents. Later, PU VC presented souvenirs to foreign delegates and distinguished guests. Director CEMB Prof. Moazur Rahman along with Dr Talat Naseer Pasha and Dr Shahid Baig presented souvenirs to PU VC Prof Dr Muhammad Ali.