A One-Day Seminar on “Quality Dates Supply Chain Management for Agri. Business Development” was held at Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Khairpur organized by Date Palm Research Institute (DPRI), SALU, Khairpur in collaboration with Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam and Sindh Enterprises Development Fund (SEDP). Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto, Vice Chancellor, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur presided over the seminar while Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Mari, Vice Chancellor, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam was the chief guest.

Speaking on this occasion, Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto said that this area is Date belt the same has been ignored field. There is need to revive and work scientifically on Date Palm on need base. Dr. Ibupoto remarked that we have constituted Board of Directors Date Palm Research Institute to avail collective wisdom and to take various decisions. The recommendations of the seminar will be presented to the Govt. of Sindh. The purpose of this seminar is to provide latest information to the end user for the prosperity of growers.

Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Mari said, agriculture growth is the need of the time. He said if the 50% of growth increased, I am optimistic that in the next 12 years we will reduce the poverty and malnutrition.  He said that the Date is the major crop of this area. The Date may be exported to Malaysia and Indonesia; we will earn the money from export. He underlined the need for marketing, planning and research in the field of Date.

Engr. Prof. Dr. Syed Madad Ali Shah, Vice Chancellor, Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University of Technology & Skills Development, Khairpur also spoke on the importance of the Date Palm. He stressed the need for the using of latest technology for the capacity building of the Farmers.

Mr. Raees Ghulam Qasim Jiskani, Former Minister Agriculture, Govt. of Sindh accorded special thanks to Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto for organizing this awareness seminar for growers. He said it is high time to maintain quality of Dates for the purpose of international market. He said Khairpur is producing 50% of Dates in Pakistan; the predominant variety is Aseel and Karbalai. He stressed the need for advanced training to the growers. He said we have to capture markets of the elite varieties

.Mr. Noor Muhammad Baluch, Director General Agriculture Research, Govt. of Sindh said we are striving to promote research on Dates. We have established Date Palm Station at Kot Diji. He said that the Govt. of Sindh will establish Tissue Culture Lab. He said we have capacity building but resources are required.

Mr. Salman Abro said Date is one of the leading productions of this area. It is vital to work on its bi production in order to control on its wastages. Academicians, Researchers and Growers must concentrate on their collaborative efforts for the enhancement of the Date production in this area.

Mr. Sirai Niaz Khaskheli also spoke. He said that Solar Dryers may be introduced to avoid losses from Monsoon rains. He said organizing this seminar is a healthy sign. Tissue Culture may be promoted among the growers.

Dr. Waqar from IBA University, Sukkur spoke on value chain process and international market. He said measures may be taken to improve to export the Dates, Market should be integrated, institutional setup and relationship among growers, consumers, market, consumer agents, factory owners and trade development authority may be promoted.

Dr. Tahira Jat, Director, DPRI said Date is complete food. The origin of Date Palm starts from Iraq, Pakistan, Middle East and Africa. She said Pakistan is the 6th largest Date producer country of the world. She said Monsoon rains are affecting adversely to this product. She said it is time to grow elite varieties in this area.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Islamil Kumbhar, Chairman, Department of Agriculture Education, SAU, Tandojam presented the recommendations of the seminar based on farmers capacity building, market efficiency. He recommended that new export opportunities may be availed in the Muslim countries. Date growers linkage may be promoted. Policy may be devised to mitigate climate change. Research funds for Date growers may be allocated.

A large number of Deans, Directors, faculty members, growers and researchers attended the seminar.

Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto, Vice Chancellor, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur inaugurated the Command and Control Room for Security & Surveillance at Student Service Centre, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur. This project is funded by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad.

Speaking on this occasion, Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto appreciated the sincere efforts of I.T Manager and his team for making Command & Control Room at Students Service Centre, and also thanked HEC as Well for providing the funding for establishment of state of art Command & Control Room at University. The Vice Chancellor said the Command & Control Room System will beef up the security apparatus of University. He said that we are providing foolproof security to our students, academia and staff at University. He said that after establishment of Command and Control Room, University become " Safe Campus" in terms of security. Dr. Ibupoto said that the Biometric Attendance System will also be installed at University very soon.

Syed Munir Shah Rashdi, I.T Manager briefed that Total 44 CCTV Cameras have been installed for security and surveillance of University premises. The Cameras have been installed at various important places of University such as Dual Carriage Road from Main Gate to Faculty of Management Sciences, Science Faculty Road, Girls Hostel entrance and exit, Vice Chancellor House entrance and exit, Institute of English Road, Administration Block, Buses Parking Area and Boys Hostels. He appreciated the efforts of Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto, Vice Chancellor for his moral support and guidance and Prof. Dr. Ghulam Raza Bhatti for getting this project for University.

Prof. Dr. Mumtaz Hussain Mahar, Dean Faculty of Physical Sciences, Prof. Dr. Ghulam Mustafa Mashori, Dean Faculty of Arts & Languages, Prof. Dr. Mumtaz Ali Junejo, Dean Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof. Dr. Taj Muhammad Lashari, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Dr. Ghulam Abbas Shar, Dean Faculty of Natural Sciences, Mr. Mureed Hussain Ibupoto, Registrar, Mr. Mushtaque Ali Khaskheli, Chief Security Officer, Mr. Sajid Danwar, Mr. Irfan Ali Phulpoto, PRO, Mr. Qalandar Bux Bozdar, Mr. Muhammad Aslam Ghumro, Mr. Tufail Mangi and others were present on this occasion.

The 68th Birthday of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was celebrated by the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Chair, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur. Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto, Vice Chancellor was the chief guest on this occasion.

Speaking to the participants, Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto said Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was an icon of the democracy. She rendered untiring efforts for the promotion of democracy, constitutionalism, women empowerment, human rights and the development and progress of the country. She was the first Muslim lady Prime Minister in the Muslim World. She fought against dictatorship and restoration of democracy in the country. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto played decisive and pivotal role for the promotion of education.

Dr. Ibupoto announced that Board of Directors of the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Chair will be constituted and Endowment Fund will be established. He also announced that a website will be designed for the purpose of research on the life, career and contribution of Bhutto Family in the Chair.  Dr. Ibupoto also announced that research will be embarked by launching M.S/M. Phil and Ph. D in the Chair very soon.

Prof. Dr. Syed Asad Raza Abidi, Director, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Chair remarked that Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto rendered marvelous sacrifices for the nation and country. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was a role model in politics and democracy. She also highly contributed for the promotion of education, health and other facilities for the people of Pakistan.

Prof. Dr. Amir Ali Chandio, Chairman Department of Political Science said that in the history of the Sindh, the services of Bhutto Family are highly commendable because their role remained pro-people.

Prof. Dr. Noor Ahmed Shaikh, Prof. Dr. Syed Muneer Shah, Prof. Dr. Ikhtiar Ali Ghumro, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Din Rajper, Prof. Dr. Fayaz Raza Chandio, Dr. Hissamuddin Shaikh, Dr. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Abro, Dr. Inayatullah Bhatti, Dr. Mumtaz Sand, Mr. Muhammad Hassan Shaikh, Registrar Mr. Mureed Hussain Ibupoto, Mr. Imran Ali Soomro and others were present on this occasion.

At the end, Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto performed the cake cutting the ceremony.  

A consultative meeting of freelancers of Shah Abdul Latif, University was held in the Center for Entrepreneurship Development, Chaired by Dr. Raheem Bux Soomro, Director CED and Co-Chaired by Dr. Samina Rajper, Director ORIC. Challenges faced by freelancers, the Impact of COVID-19 in the freelancing market, Role of the university in facilitating freelancers were discussed briefly in the meeting.

Talking to the participants of the meeting, Dr. Samina Rajper remarked that students must learn trending tech-related skills to provide different services in the freelancing market. Dr. Samina applauded the efforts of Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto for streamlining and strengthening the ORIC in line with the Higher Education Commission’s yardstick.

Dr. Raheem Bux Soomro said that the Center of Entrepreneurship Development is committed to provide facilities for the freelancers of this university.

Mr. Hissam Sarwar top rated freelancer of Pakistan delivered the motivational speech and answered various questions asked by the participants of the meeting.

The meeting was ended by vote of thanks from the participants.