Mian Rashid Asghar.
FAISALABAD: Amid the situation when more than 40 percent of the population is facing malnutrition, the Pak Korea Nutrition Centre established at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad would help combat the challenge at national level, said University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan.
He chaired the 1st National Steering Committee (NSC) meeting of the project titled “Establishment of Pak-Korea Nutrition Center (PKNC) to Improve Child and Community Nutrition” the other day.
He added that the malnutrition had emerged as the biggest challenge that need to be addressed by creating awareness, tangible research and outreach work. He also said that to provide nutrition education at community level, the project will train Master Trainers in Korea who will further disseminate nutrition education to concerned stakeholders. He also stated that with continued support from stakeholders, we will meet objectives as mentioned under PC-1 of this project. He thanked KOICA for such an important initiative that will work to address malnutrition issues at national level.
Planning and Development, UAF Director Irfan Abbas, presented the Agenda of the meeting.
While giving an overview of this project, Faculty of Food Nutrition and Home Sciences Dean /Central Project Director/PI, PKNC Prof Dr Masood Sadiq Butt, said that the PKNC project was approved by the CDWP at a total cost of Rs. 1593.775 Million with the share of KOICA US$ 7 Million, and PSDP/HEC share Rs. 438.775 Million) with 60 months duration. The Administrative Approval of the project has also been issued on 19th September 2022. He also highlighted that the project is expected to produce 120,000 trained beneficiaries. The National Steering Committee approved the Annual Work Plan of project presented by Thematic Chairs of PKNC. The National Steering Committee also constituted a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of PKNC under the convenor ship of UAF Vice Chancellor.
The meeting was attended by Yeon Je Ho, Country Director, KOICA; Heungsu Lee, Deputy Country Director, KOICA; Dr Nazeer Ahmed, Chief Nutrition, Planning Commission of Pakistan; Dr Arif Rehman Chief (S&T), Planning Commission of Pakistan; Prof. Jaehan Kim, Chungnam National University, South Korea; Prof. Dr. Imran Pasha, Dy. Project Director/CO-PI, PKNC; Umer Saeed Qadri , Treasurer, UAF; Ali Raza, Program Manager KOICA Pakistan; PKNC thematic chairs, and focal persons from provincial partners of PKNC.