LAHORE: (Monday, April 27, 2024): Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali stated that Pakistan is rich in natural resources, which can play a vital role in strengthening the country’s economy. He expressed these views while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 19th National Hands-on Training Workshop titled “Skills for the Future – Integrating Modern Beekeeping into Productive Agriculture,” organized by Punjab University Institute of Zoology here on Monday. On this occasion, Director Institute of Zoology Prof Dr Nabila Roohi, Incharge Honey Bee Research Garden Prof Dr Abdul Majid Khan, senior journalist Sohail Warraich, the honeybee farm manager, researchers, faculty members, and a large number of students were present. In his address, Prof Dr Muhammad Ali emphasized the need to strengthen collaboration between PU and beekeepers to boost exports of bee-related products. He said that students will get an opportunity to learn from the experiences of farmers, researchers, experts and teachers participating in this workshop. He congratulated the organizers on the successful workshop.

Prof Dr Nabila Roohi highlighted that students and faculty members from various universities across Pakistan are taking part in the training workshop. She noted that the workshop’s content would be highly beneficial for students at BS, MS, and PhD levels, serving as an important step toward developing future-oriented skills and promoting entrepreneurship. Senior journalist Sohail Warraich remarked that such initiatives are instrumental in promoting beekeeping through community involvement, awareness, and farmer training. He commended PU for focusing on the production of organic honeybee products along with value addition, which could significantly enhance entrepreneurship opportunities and increase exports of organic honey products in Pakistan. Prof Dr Abdul Majid Khan stated that the training workshop is among Pakistan’s most enduring and impactful initiatives in applied apiculture. Since its inception in 2004, it has been consistently organized by the Honey Bee Research Garden at Punjab University to strengthen national capacity in sustainable beekeeping and pollination management. He added that over the years, the workshop has transformed hundreds of participants into skilled beekeepers, researchers, and entrepreneurs. He said that by integrating scientific knowledge with practical, field-based training, it has enabled many trainees to establish successful beekeeping enterprises.