IUB' faculty members attended International Desert Horticulture Conference held by MNS-UAM and China

International Desert Horticulture Conference Strengthens Pakistan–China Academic Collaboration

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nafees Chairman Department of Horticultural Sciences, and Dr. Muhammad Azher Nawaz, Associate Professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) participated in the International Desert Horticulture Conference, jointly organized by Tarim University, China and Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture, Multan (MNS-UAM).

During the conference, Dr. Muhammad Azher Nawaz delivered an invited scientific presentation entitled “Vegetable Grafting: A Climate-Resilient Tool for Protected Cultivation in Deserts. The presentation highlighted the significant role of vegetable grafting in enhancing crop productivity, improving tolerance to abiotic stresses, increasing water-use efficiency, and ensuring sustainable vegetable production under harsh desert environments. The innovative research findings and practical applications presented by Dr. Nawaz received considerable appreciation from international participants and experts, who acknowledged the importance of vegetable grafting as a promising strategy for climate-resilient agriculture in arid regions.

On the occasion, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nafees discussed potential avenues of academic and research collaboration between Tarim University, China, and The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. The discussions focused on joint research initiatives, faculty and student exchange programs, collaborative projects in desert horticulture, protected cultivation, water-efficient production systems, and sustainable agricultural development.

The delegation from Tarim University expressed keen interest in the ongoing research activities of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, IUB. Prof. Wan Chuanxing, Vice President of Tarim University, highly appreciated the research contributions and achievements of the department and emphasized the importance of strengthening scientific cooperation between the two institutions.

Furthermore, Prof. Wu Cuiyun, Dean, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Tarim University; Dr. Li Xiangyu, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Fruit Trees; and Dr. Liu Yifei, Associate Professor of Horticulture, also appreciated the research work being conducted at IUB and expressed their strong interest in developing collaborative research partnerships, academic exchanges, and future joint projects.

The conference provided an excellent platform for knowledge sharing and strengthening Pakistan–China cooperation in the field of desert horticulture. The interaction is expected to pave the way for future collaborative research, innovation, and capacity building aimed at addressing the challenges of sustainable agricultural production under arid and desert conditions.